Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he expects to issue guidance on when amateur choirs can (a) rehearse together and (b) perform in person as covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
DCMS has always been clear that the Performing Arts guidance would be updated on the basis of the latest science and public health context.
The PERFORM study (published 20 August) has indicated that it is the cumulative aerosol transmission from both those performing in and attending events that is likely to create the risk of transmission. As a result of these findings we have updated the Performing Arts guidance to confirm that non-professionals can now engage in all activities, including singing, wind and brass and confirmed that where non-professional groups plan to meet, there are no set limits on the numbers who can be involved when taking place outside and/or in a Covid-secure venue. This is in line with rules on meeting people outside your household for clubs and groups and gatherings in Covid-secure venues.
Organisations must ensure that they carry out an appropriate COVID-19 risk assessment and that individuals are socially distanced at all times. Organisations will want to minimise risk as far as possible and the Performing Arts guidance sets out a number of mitigations that should be considered to minimise risk including operating outside where possible, limiting the numbers involved in and duration of activity and considering how ventilation can be improved.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on enabling the provision of 5G along the train line in Devon and Cornwall.
Answered by Margot James
I refer to the answer provided by the Secretary of State to the topical question raised by the Hon member at oral questions today.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he plans to decide whether to raise the limit on prize values for the Health Lottery .
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister (Women)
The consultation on society lottery reform sought views on raising prize limits. The consultation closed on 7 September after we had received over 1,600 responses. DCMS officials are now carefully considering the evidence and we hope to respond to the consultation in the first half of next year.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what rail lines are being considered for the 5G trials that will support improvements to rail passenger connectivity.
Answered by Margot James
At Autumn Budget 2017, the Government allocated £35 million to projects that will support improvement to rail passenger connectivity, including the Trans-Pennine Initiative (TPI). This is a joint project between the 5G Testbeds and Trials and Local Full Fibre Networks Programmes.
The projects involved are to :