Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the withdrawal of Government funding of free TV licenses from the over 75 on future availability of such free licences.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Government is committed to protecting pensioner benefits for the entire period of this Parliament, and the agreement to transfer responsibility for over-75s TV licences to the BBC makes no change to that commitment. People who are over 75 will still receive a free TV licence under the terms of this.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how the Government plans to implement Lord Leveson's recommendation that regulatory authorities should be able to impose structural remedies and remedies which will change behaviour which can relate, if appropriate, to editorial independence and journalistic standards.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
In response to Lord Leveson's recommendations on media plurality we asked Ofcom to consider how we measure media plurality in the UK. Ofcom published a framework for measurement on the 5th November. We will need to consider that framework and how we make a baseline assessment before we consider any further work in this area.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when Ofcom plans to publish its report on measuring frameworks for media plurality.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Ofcom published its report on a framework for media plurality on 5th November.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department will assess the potential merits of arms-length funding to support community journalism and independent news start-ups to promote informed citizenship.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
This Government believes local media has a vital role to play in local communities and in local democracy.There are no current plans for a Government investigation into the merits of arms-length funding for community journalism, but we would welcome evidence from the sector to support this.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the privatisation of Channel 4 on the independent production sector in the UK.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
No decisions have been made on the future of Channel 4. The Government is considering how best to ensure Channel 4's future sustainability, while maintaining its ability to deliver against its remit. It will also be important to consider the impacts of any possible changes to Channel 4 on the independent UK production sector.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he has held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on privatisation of Channel 4 in the last 12 months.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Secretary of State meets regularly with the Chancellor to discuss matters relating to DCMS policy. The government has made no decisions regarding reform of Channel 4.The government is considering a range of options as to how best to ensure Channel 4's future sustainability while maintaining its ability to deliver against its remit, including options put forward by Channel 4.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office on privatisation of Channel 4 in the last year.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Secretary of State meets regularly with the Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office to discuss matters relating to DCMS policy. The government has made no decisions regarding reform of Channel 4. The government is considering a range of options as to how best to ensure Channel 4's future sustainability while maintaining its ability to deliver against its remit, including options put forward by Channel 4.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what meetings he has had with Ministers from the Cabinet Office at which the privatisation of Channel 4 was discussed in August and September 2015.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Secretary of State meets regularly with Ministers from the Cabinet Office to discuss matters relating to DCMS policy. The government has made no decisions regarding reform of Channel 4. The government is considering a range of options as to how best to ensure Channel 4's future sustainability while maintaining its ability to deliver against its remit, including options put forward by Channel 4.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions took place between the Government and the BBC on free television licences for people over 75 before the decision was made that the BBC would fund such licences; and when such discussions took place.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The decision to transfer of thecost of providing free television licences for over-75s to the BBC was an agreement reached by the Government and the BBC. The Governmentmet both the BBC Executive and the BBC Trust to discuss thison a number of occasions ahead of the announcement.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with age-related third sector or charity organisations on the withdrawal of Government funding for free television licences for people over 75.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The over 75’s continue to receive free TV licenses, following agreements between the BBC and Government that the BBC would assume responsibility for the over 75s television licence concession.