Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has had recent discussions with the Charity Commission on the activities of (a) Dar Al-Hekma and (b) Abrar Islamic Foundation.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth recently met with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues. The Charity Commission has live regulatory compliance cases open into the Abrar Islamic Foundation and the Dar Alhekma Trust and they will not hesitate to take regulatory action if necessary. Given the nature of the allegations, the Commission has also referred the serious allegations to the Metropolitan Police Service.
As the independent regulator, the Charity Commission has a wide range of powers to tackle misconduct or mismanagement in charities. It acts robustly to tackle those who abuse charities. We keep the Charity Commission's powers under regular review and are actively considering whether further powers are required.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 50857, on Universal Studios: Bedfordshire, whether (a) Parliament and (b) select committee chairs will be informed of a contingent liability on the Consolidated Fund, relating to government commitments being made to Universal Studios from the announced deal.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Further details on Government infrastructure investment around the site will be set out in due course and due process will be followed should any contingent liability arise.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 50857 on Universal Studios: Bedfordshire, whether government guarantees are contingent on planning permission being awarded.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The proposals remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. As outlined when the Government announced the deal, further details will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Charity Commission on the activities of Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission is not a registered charity. No discussions have taken place with the Charity Commission on the activities of this organisation.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her planned timetable is for publishing the local media strategy.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Sustainability of journalism across the country is an area of particular concern for this Government, and the development of a Local Media Strategy is in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. We recently held a roundtable discussion with local news editors to discuss our planned approach and collaboration with industry on the Strategy. An industry working group has now been set up to consider the issues in more detail and we will announce more in the coming months.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49772 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if she will publish the (a) State of Conservation Report and (b) Historic England advice.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Executive Summary of the State of Conservation Report is published on UNESCO’s website: https://whc.unesco.org/document/218772. There are no plans to publish the full State of Conservation Report at the current time.
Historic England’s advice is published on Tower Hamlets’ planning website: https://development.towerhamlets.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=DCAPR_145208
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 45688 on Holiday Accommodation and Second Homes: Registration, if she will ensure that homes subject to a second homes council tax premium by local authorities are not charged additional registration fees.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The registration scheme for short-term lets legislated for in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 will require registration of specified properties that meet the definition of a short-term rental property. The detailed scope of the scheme is still being determined and will be shaped to meet the scheme’s overarching objectives to provide data that enables local authorities to better understand their visitor accommodation market, support tourism growth, and protect the spirit and fabric of communities.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 45662 on Tax Allowances: Mid Bedfordshire, whether the negotiations over central government support or subsidy for the Universal Studios development have now concluded; and whether the intention is for a legally binding agreement.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Details of negotiations with private investors and Government are confidential. The proposals remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and as outlined when the Government announced the deal, further details on Government infrastructure investment around the site will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 45034 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, whether her Department has had discussions with Historic England on proposals for a Chinese Embassy in Tower Hamlets.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
DCMS officials have held discussions with Historic England on proposals for a Chinese Embassy in Tower Hamlets limited to the State of Conservation Report submitted in November 2024 and the inclusion of Historic England's advice to the Public Inquiry and Planning Inspectorate in the paragraph 172 notification submitted in February 2025.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 7 April 2025 to Question on Public Consultation; Young People, if she will list the DCMS-funded youth programmes through which young people were invited to participate in the long-term strategy for communities.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We invited young people from #iWill and UK Youth Parliament to participate in the roundtables.