Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January to Question 120898 on Internet: Males, if she will fund research online violence against men and boys.
Answered by Paul Scully
The government routinely undertakes research to enhance the online harms evidence base, as well as improve understanding of harms experienced by adults and children. A list of recently published research can be found at this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-harms-research-publications-december-2022
Ofcom also conducts research into online harms. For example, Online Nation is an annual report by Ofcom that looks at what people are doing online, how they are served by online content providers and platforms, and their attitudes to and experiences of using the internet.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, following the recent award of a contract awarded by the Government for violence against women and girls research with a particular reference to online violence against women and girls, whether this research will also include online violence against men and boys.
Answered by Paul Scully
The government is concerned about online safety for all users, including men and boys. This particular research has a focus on online safety for women and girls to understand the drivers of the abuse they can receive online.
It aims to develop an understanding of how design features of online platforms and services can either increase or decrease the risk of online violence against women and girls. Our research will contribute to the UK’s commitments under the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to undertake regular reviews of the gambling sector to ensure that policy, regulation, stakes and prizes are kept up to date.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
As part of its broad scope, our Gambling Act Review call for evidence included questions on the rules governing land based gambling and the need to ensure an equitable approach to the regulation of the online and the land based industries.
We are carefully considering all the evidence submitted and a white paper setting out our next steps and proposals for reform will be published in due course.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to include consideration in the Gambling Act review of the introduction of testing for new amusement machines and games to gather evidence on regulatory reforms and social responsibility measures.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
As part of its broad scope, our Gambling Act Review call for evidence included questions on the rules governing land based gambling and the need to ensure an equitable approach to the regulation of the online and the land based industries.
We are carefully considering all the evidence submitted and a white paper setting out our next steps and proposals for reform will be published in due course.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to support equine rescue charities whose income has reduced as a result of the covid-19 outbreak and who are ineligible for the job support schemes.
Answered by John Whittingdale
There are already generous measures in place to support the voluntary and community sector which include more than £1.3 billion a year in respect of Gift Aid on donations. Charities play an invaluable role in this country which is why the Government has made available an unprecedented £750 million package of support, specifically for charities, social enterprises and the voluntary sector so that they can continue their vital work through the coronavirus outbreak.
The Government has also worked closely with the sector through the Canine and Feline Sector Group and National Equine Welfare Council to agree and update guidance to animal rescue and rehoming organisations, and other animal charities and businesses. This has enabled them to undertake core operations as far as possible, whilst maintaining compliance with the social distancing rules and need for hygiene precautions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
DCMS and Defra remain committed to continued engagement with the sector to understand the longer-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, monitor the animal welfare implications of this and offer appropriate advice and support.