Nigel Adams Portrait

Nigel Adams

Conservative - Former Member for Selby and Ainsty

First elected: 6th May 2010


Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister without Portfolio)
16th Sep 2021 - 6th Sep 2022
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
2nd Sep 2020 - 16th Sep 2021
Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (Joint with the Department for International Development)
13th Feb 2020 - 2nd Sep 2020
Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
24th Jul 2019 - 13th Feb 2020
Assistant Whip
5th Nov 2018 - 3rd Apr 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
5th Nov 2018 - 3rd Apr 2019
Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip)
9th Jan 2018 - 5th Nov 2018
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
22nd May 2018 - 5th Nov 2018
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
15th Jun 2017 - 9th Jan 2018
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 2nd Nov 2010


Division Voting information

Nigel Adams has voted in 2399 divisions, and 11 times against the majority of their Party.

3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 190 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 488
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 95 Conservative Aye votes vs 203 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 509
8 Sep 2015 - Finance Bill - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 305 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 310 Noes - 245
8 Sep 2015 - Finance Bill - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative Aye votes vs 307 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 245 Noes - 311
11 Mar 2015 - Ark Pension Schemes - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 122 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 367 Noes - 113
27 Oct 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 135 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 166 Noes - 340
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 87 Conservative No votes vs 142 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 93 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 233
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 90 Conservative Aye votes vs 123 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 184
30 Nov 2011 - Hairdressers Registration (Amendment) - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative Aye votes vs 41 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 63 Noes - 67
7 Sep 2011 - Health and Social Care (Re-committed) Bill - View Vote Context
Nigel Adams voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative Aye votes vs 115 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 368
View All Nigel Adams Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative)
Foreign Secretary
(36 debate interactions)
Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party)
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Human Rights)
(25 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(24 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(137 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(62 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Nigel Adams's debates

Selby and Ainsty Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

The Government must make a public statement on the #kissanprotests & press freedoms.

India is the worlds largest democracy & democratic engagement and freedom of the press are fundamental rights and a positive step towards creating a India that works for all.

The UK Government plans to introduce “Magnitsky law”, a law which targets people who commit gross human rights violations. Through this law or alternative means, this petition urges the UK Government to impose sanctions on China for their human rights violations on the Uyghur people.


Latest EDMs signed by Nigel Adams

2nd April 2019
Nigel Adams signed this EDM on Monday 29th April 2019

CHARITY LOTTERY ANNUAL SALES LIMIT

Tabled by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)
That this House supports the Government's preferred option of a new £100 million annual sales limit for charity lotteries as it will allow such lotteries to reduce bureaucracy and administration costs and thus return more to good causes; notes that a new £100 million annual sales limit is the recommendation …
43 signatures
(Most recent: 22 Jul 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 13
Scottish National Party: 12
Conservative: 11
Liberal Democrat: 2
Plaid Cymru: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
The Independent Group for Change: 1
11th April 2019
Nigel Adams signed this EDM on Tuesday 23rd April 2019

Exiting the European Union

Tabled by: William Cash (Conservative - Stone)
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Exit Day) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 859), dated 11 April 2019, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11 April 2019, be annulled.
82 signatures
(Most recent: 29 Apr 2019)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 70
Democratic Unionist Party: 7
Independent: 4
Non-affiliated: 1
View All Nigel Adams's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Nigel Adams, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Nigel Adams has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Nigel Adams has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

3 Bills introduced by Nigel Adams


A Bill to make it an offence to be found in possession of, or to use, certain articles or substances capable of causing injury or behaviour likely to lead to injury at, or in transit towards, certain events, concerts or festivals or other public gatherings; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 12th April 2016
(Read Debate)

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 21st January 2015

A Bill to enable local planning authorities to require planning permission prior to the demolition or change of use of premises or land used or formerly used to provide a local service; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 30th June 2010

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
5 Other Department Questions
1st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of making representations to US counterparts on that country's proposals to increase the costs of short- and long-term visas for touring performers.

Whilst US immigration policy is ultimately a matter for the US authorities, the UK Government has engaged with the US authorities on this matter to make clear the concerns that the UK music industry has about the increase in US visa costs.

We are continuing to engage our counterparts in the US on this matter. In parallel, we have encouraged the music sector to respond to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services' consultation.

My Department regularly engages across Government, and with the music sector, on issues concerning touring professionals.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
2nd Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential overlap between contributors to the construction industry training levy and the proposed employer apprenticeship levy; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the construction industry of that proposed levy in drawing up those proposals.

All employers with a pay bill greater than £3,000,000 will be in scope of the apprenticeships levy, including those in the construction and engineering construction sectors. We are working with the Industry Training Boards to understand how their existing arrangements will be affected. They will be consulting with their members in advance of the introduction of the apprenticeships levy on whether they should continue to pay the industry levy and if so, how it should be combined with the national apprenticeship levy. We are also working with other sectors, where there are existing collective training arrangements about what the apprenticeships levy means to them.

15th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the potential benefits of using (a) total system costs and (b) levelised electricity costs to evaluate and prioritise different forms of power generation.

DECC publishes estimates for the levelised costs of electricity generation for different technologies. The most recent estimates are available in the DECC Electricity Generation Costs (December 2013) report, available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269888/131217_Electricity_Generation_costs_report_December_2013_Final.pdf

The above levelised costs however do not take into account all of the wider positive or negative impacts that a power station may impose on the electricity system. So far, DECC’s electricity modelling has considered these wider whole system impacts through a system wide cost-benefit analysis.

To systematise DECC’s evidence base on whole system impacts and be able to present these impacts on a technology by technology basis, DECC has commissioned external research at the end of 2014. The project has three phases. Phase 1 aims to define and estimate the current impacts on the system from each technology type. Phase 2 aims to further develop DECC’s internal modelling capability to formally deal with the evolution of the whole system impacts over time and Phase 3 aims to undertake scenario analysis to assess whole system impacts of different technologies across different states of the world. The work on the project is currently still ongoing.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
15th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her Department's policy is on altering the Contract for Defence auction process to combined the established, non-established and biomass pots and standardise the length of contracts.

The long term vision of the CFD has always been one in which technologies compete against each other on an equivalent basis.

The generic allocation process reflects this vision, by using auctions to award standardised 15 year CFD contracts to technologies in both the mature and less mature pots.

We will continue to review and refine the operation of the CFD scheme and expect to set out plans for the next CFD allocation round in the autumn.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether his Department has plans to extend the life of generating capacity currently scheduled to be closed in the event that delays in new investment arise as a result of uncertainty about the outcome of the competition investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority.

Government's plans for the Capacity Market and interim arrangements being put in place by National Grid ahead of this will offer an opportunity to extend the life of existing capacity where it is economically efficient to do so. Subject to state aid approval the first Capacity Market auction will take place in late 2014 for delivery in winter 2018. This will ensure sufficient capacity into the coming decades by offering regular payments to existing and new generation capacity that is successful at auction.

In advance of this National Grid has developed Supplemental Balancing Reserve, a new balancing service through which it will be able to procure further capacity should it be needed, including capacity that is or otherwise intends to mothball or close. National Grid will only seek to competitively procure the amount of capacity that its forecast determines necessary and expect to run an initial tender process this spring for capacity for the winter of 2014/15 and 2015/16, with the possibility of extending this period if necessary.

9th Oct 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many women under 25 have been diagnosed with cervical cancer in each of the last five years.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

23rd Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what evaluation his Department has made of the overall efficiency of a combined heat and power plant.

Combined heat and power (CHP) plants use a range of technologies, which can offer efficiency savings of up to 30% compared to the separate generation of heat and electricity. Their efficiency varies depending on the particular technologies used and how they are operated. The CHP Quality Assurance Scheme assesses plants’ energy efficiency to ensure all those benefitting from government support meet a minimum level.

23rd Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to continue support for the production of steam from renewable energy sources used for industrial applications.

Support for the production of steam from renewable energy sources used for industrial applications is provided through the Renewable Heat Incentive. As set out in the 2015 Autumn Statement, the budget for the Renewable Heat Incentive has been confirmed to financial year 2020/21.

23rd Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of changes to the combined heat and power tariff from 10 to 20 per cent efficiency on the (a) use and (b) price of energy generated by Organic Rankine Cycle turbines.

The Renewable Heat Incentive consultation on support for Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant closed on 10 March. This consultation proposed changing the current 10% power efficiency requirement for biomass CHP plants applying to the RHI scheme to a 20% power efficiency requirement. The consultation can be found here.

Annex A to the consultation document contained an assessment of impacts for the proposed change.

8th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress his Department has made on its analysis of whole system costs for intermittent renewable energy sources.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recognises the importance of considering the whole system impacts (both costs and benefits) of different electricity technologies when formulating future Government policy: this is a crucial element in delivering secure, clean and affordable energy to consumers. The Department’s social cost benefit analysis, which plays a key role in policy making, accounts for wider system costs, including network and balancing costs.

To deepen the Department’s understanding of the impacts of individual electricity generation technologies, Frontier Economics were commissioned to develop a comprehensive framework to define whole system impacts and their components and drivers, which can be applied to conventional, low-carbon and renewable large- and small-scale technologies. The resulting methodology report and its peer reviews will be published in due course.

20th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with commercial banks and other providers of Radio Frequency Identification-enabled cards on (a) incidents of contactless card fraud and (b) prevention of such fraud.

Since his appointment, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has had no discussions with commercial banks and other providers of RFID-enabled cards about incidents of contactless card fraud or their prevention.

13th Sep 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he will allow combined heat and power biomass plants pre-accredited under the Renewable Heat Incentive that are in-build but not yet in receipt of full accreditation to remain eligible under the rules of the scheme which prevailed at the time of the initial investment.

The Government has made changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme Regulations 2011, and these amendments came into force on 1 August 2016.

The changes therefore apply to all new biomass-Combined Heat and Power plant with an accreditation date on or after 1 August 2016.

13th Sep 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance his Department has given to Ofgem on whether the new subsidy structure relating to low electrical output combined heat and power solid biomass generators should apply to those generators that are (a) funded, (b) built and (c) in-build and already in receipt of pre-accreditation certificates.

The Government has made changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme Regulations 2011. These amendments came into force on 1 August 2016. The regulations require Ofgem to apply the new rules to all new biomass-Combined Heat and Power plant with an accreditation date on or after 1 August 2016.

2nd Sep 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 2 August 2016 to Question 42624, what the evidential basis is for the conclusion that a decrease in the prominence of copyright infringing websites in search engine results has resulted in a decrease in infringement.

Publically available research from industry clearly shows a decrease in traffic to the most high profile Bit Torrent indexing websites following changes to search engine algorithms to demote websites which have been the subject of large numbers of copyright infringement notices. While it is not possible to say exactly how this equates to changes in infringement, traffic levels to these websites are likely to be highly correlated with levels of infringing activity.

The work of the Ministerial roundtable group on search and copyright is supported by research from OFCOM, which gives the group a periodic snapshot of the prominence of copyright infringing websites in search results for various search terms.

2nd Sep 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 2 August 2016 to Question 42624, what the evidential basis is for the conclusion that there has been a decrease in autocomplete suggestions from search engines providing access to stream ripping and online converter websites.

Work to reduce the prevalence of autocomplete suggestions which are likely to lead search engine users to infringing websites is still ongoing, and so it is not yet possible to analyse the resultant effectiveness of these measures.

This work is discussed by representatives of the creative industries and search engines at the round table meetings chaired by my noble Friend Baroness Neville-Rolfe as Minister for Intellectual Property. OFCOM provide research for these meetings utilising results which they take from publicly accessible search interfaces.

13th Jul 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations he has received on the potential merits of requiring search engines to change their algorithms to reduce the visibility of illegal streaming websites.

My noble Friend the Minister of State for Energy and Intellectual Property, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, chairs regular roundtable meetings between the UK’s leading search engine providers, representatives of the music and film industries, and government officials.

Since the instigation of these roundtables, Google, Yahoo! and Bing have all taken steps to reduce the prominence of copyright infringing websites in their search results. These steps have included algorithm changes as well as changes to the autocomplete suggestions offered to users.

The discussions are supported by research undertaken by OFCOM which has shown a decrease in the prominence of the most infringing websites (as measured by the number of notifications Google have received about infringing content for those sites).

12th Jul 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the recommendations of the Creative Industries Council in its report entitled Create Together, published in July 2016, on clarifying the role of safe harbours and rights holders' remuneration.

The Create Together strategy produced by the industry members of the Creative Industries Council is a strategy for building on the economic success of the UK’s creative sector. It is one which the Government supports. Government is currently reviewing specific recommendations within the strategy, including on safe harbour. We are strongly committed to working constructively with industry on these issues.

The Government agrees that it should not be possible to benefit from encouraging the posting of copyright infringing content through safe harbours, and that the rules governing who is responsible for such content should be clear. In developing the UK’s copyright framework going forward, we will consider whether the current situation is providing the right mix of incentives and protections.

15th Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to respond to the Waterson Report on Secondary Ticketing, published on 22 May 2016.

The Government will publish its response to Professor Waterson’s independent review in due course.

14th Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what consideration she has given to extending the support of biomass after 2027 to treat it equally with other low-carbon technologies.

We see the use of conversions of coal to biomass as a transitional technology. It has played a useful role in decarbonising the grid while other, lower carbon forms of energy generation, such as offshore wind continue to develop and lower their costs. Government support for biomass conversions are restricted to 2027 under the Renewables Obligation and Contract for Difference, however all other biomass technologies are eligible for the full 15 year life of the contract. We have no current plans to change those dates.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
14th Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to the Answer of 12 May 2016 to Question 36652 on biofuel, whether her Department has undertaken to consider whether it is appropriate for biomass conversions to compete alongside offshore wind or the allocation pot for established technologies.

We have not set out our plans in respect of biomass conversions. We will set out more details in relation to future Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation rounds in due course.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
6th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, by what technical mechanisms her Department plans to take coal-fired power plants offline.

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has announced that the Department will be launching a consultation on proposals to end unabated coal generation by 2025. Options will be set out in that consultation.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
6th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what consideration her Department has given to the implications of whole-system costs of different forms of renewable energy generation (a) generally and (b) in future Contract for Difference auctions.

DECC recognises the importance of considering the whole system impacts (both costs and benefits) of different electricity technologies when formulating future government policy, since it is a crucial element in delivering secure, clean and affordable energy to consumers.

In order to continue to improve its evidence base in this area and inform future policy developments, DECC commissioned Frontier Economics to undertake a project on the Whole System Impacts of Electricity Generation Technologies.

The core aim of the project was to set out a comprehensive framework to define whole system impacts and their components and drivers, which can be applied to conventional, low-carbon and renewable large- and small-scale technologies. Following peer review by experts in the field of whole system impacts, DECC will publish the resulting methodology report in due course, taking into account timing restrictions relating to purdah(s).

Subsequently, the theoretical framework will be used to further systematise DECC’s modelling capability. Given the complex modelling involved and the need for a rigorous quality assurance process to ensure the analysis is robust, this is currently ongoing.

Once the project is completed, DECC will be able to draw on the improved evidence base developed through this project to contribute to informing future electricity market policy development, including for CFDs. Given that the electricity system continues to evolve, it is important that DECC reaches well-evidenced and robust long-term solutions.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
6th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans her Department has for ensuring an orderly shutdown of coal-fired power plants as the Government moves towards taking all coal-fired power plants offline by 2025; and what consideration her Department has given to the numerous technical mechanisms that necessarily entail removing all coal-fired stations simultaneously.

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has announced that the Department will be launching a consultation on proposals to end unabated coal generation by 2025. Options will be set out in that consultation.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what incentives her Department (a) is providing and (b) is planning to provide for (i) biomass and (ii) gas generation to create additional capacity.

Support is provided for biomass under a range of renewable financial incentives: the Renewables Obligation (RO), Feed in Tariff (FIT), Contracts for Difference (CfD) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The RO closed to co-firing and conversions last year and any future support will be via CfD.

The government announced it will hold three auctions for Contracts for Difference of up to £730 million this Parliament. Details of the future CFD allocation rounds will be published in due course.

The Government confirmed increased funding for the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme in November 2015 as part of the Spending Review, with the annual budget rising from £430m in 2015/16 to £1.15bn in 2020/21.

Getting new gas-fired stations built is a priority for Government and we are confident that the Capacity Market is the right mechanism to bring forward new capacity as older less efficient plants close. We have announced that we are going buy more capacity in December’s auction, tighten delivery incentives and bring forward the first capacity market delivery year to 2017/18. This should improve the chances of new gas (CCGTs, OCGTS and gas engines) capacity clearing in future auctions. Subject to a forthcoming consultation, closing unabated coal by 2025 will further strengthen investment signals for new gas. In addition, DECC is working with the planning inspectorate to arrange a workshop in June to explain how developers can use the pre-application project planning process to ensure applications for new gas plants are progressed as swiftly as possible.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will make an assessment of the feasibility of using biomass conversion and energy generation to mitigate job losses from the closure of coal-fired power stations.

Reducing our reliance on coal generation is an important part of decarbonising the electricity system. The Capacity Market will ensure continued security of supply while the Contract for Difference scheme will support cost effective low carbon electricity; the new investment brought forward by both schemes will help create new jobs.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the closure of coal-fired power stations on (a) job losses and employment trends in the energy sector and (b) power generation; and what plans her Department has to mitigate those losses.

Coal is the most carbon intensive form of electricity generation and is not consistent with our decarbonisation plans, which is why the Secretary of State has announced an intention to consult on ending unabated coal generation by 2025.

The Capacity Market is designed to bring forward the capacity we need as older plant such as coal come of the system. On 6 May 2016 we announced changes to the Capacity Market to buy more capacity and earlier; tighten the sanctions on those who fail to deliver on their obligations; and bolster energy security in the short–term by holding a new auction bringing forward the first Capacity Market delivery year to 2017/18.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the case for including (a) biomass energy and (b) biomass conversions from former coal-fired stations alongside offshore wind in future Contract for Difference auctions; and what assessment has been made of the case for evaluating bids in such auctions on a whole system costs basis.

Biomass can be used as a feedstock in Dedicated Biomass with CHP, Advanced Conversion Technologies and Anaerobic Digestion plants. Those three technologies are already eligible to compete alongside offshore wind in the CFD allocation pot for “less established” technologies.

The Government will consider whether it is appropriate for biomass conversions to compete alongside offshore wind or the allocation pot for “established” technologies in due course.

DECC recognises the importance of considering the whole system impacts (both costs and benefits) of different electricity technologies when formulating future government policy, since it is a crucial element in delivering secure, clean and affordable energy to consumers.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that ancillary services, including black start, are available to the national grid following the removal of coal-fired power stations from the system; and who will be responsible for providing those services.

National Grid ancillary services, including Black Start, are procured from generators that have the capability to meet the service requirements. National Grid assesses the suitability of different technologies from a Black Start perspective on an ongoing basis and any generator technology can be considered as a Black Start provider.

As we drive forward our decarbonisation strategy, DECC is working with National Grid to ensure that the Black Start strategy remains resilient and cost effective. Part of this work includes National Grid assessing which new technologies may be suitable for Black Start in the future and engaging these providers to understand the feasibility of achieving this.

National Grid is also investigating alternative approaches to the Black Start strategy and is taking forward the recommendations of two independent consultant reports commissioned in 2015. Both reports are available on the Energy Networks Associations’ website via the Smarter Networks Portal.

.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when her Department intends to publish its report on the whole system costs of different sources and methods of low-carbon and renewable energy generation.

Following peer review by experts in the field of whole system impacts, DECC will publish the methodology report of the Whole System Impacts of Electricity Generation Technologies project in due course, taking into account timing restrictions relating to purdah(s). The report sets out a comprehensive framework to define whole system impacts and their components and drivers, which can be applied to conventional, low-carbon and renewable large- and small-scale technologies.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department plans to take in preparation for the European Commission's review of the Artist's Resale Right.

The European Commission has not yet set a date for a periodic review of ARR. When this happens, the Intellectual Property Office will draw on existing material and consult afresh with its stakeholders for the latest evidence to inform the review.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, (a) which broadcasters have been sanctioned by Ofcom under the broadcast code in the last 10 years and (b) how many times each of these broadcasters was sanctioned.

The consideration of a sanction follows a decision by Ofcom that a broadcaster has breached a relevant requirement. There are a variety of sanctions available to Ofcom which include, for example, issuing a direction to a broadcaster or imposing a financial penalty. A case will normally be considered for the imposition of a sanction when Ofcom considers that a broadcaster has seriously, deliberately, repeatedly, or recklessly breached a relevant requirement.

Ofcom regularly publishes any broadcasting sanctions and regulatory decisions on its website. Since 1 January 2007 Ofcom has imposed 84 sanctions against 57 broadcasters as follows:

Licensee

Number of sanctions

30 of GCap Media plc’s ‘One Network’ radio stations

1

Al Ehya Digital Television Limited

2

Al Mustakillah Television Limited

1

ARY Digital UK Limited

1

Asia TV Limited

1

Bang Channels Limited and Bang Media (London) Limited

1

BBA Media Ltd

1

Biditis Limited

1

Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd

1

Channel Four Television Corporation

3

Channel S World Limited

1

Channel Television Ltd

4

Club TV Limited

1

Connection Makers Ltd

1

CSC Media Group Limited

1

Dama (Liverpool) Limited

1

Discovery Communications Europe Limited

1

DM Digital Television Limited

4

DM Global Media Limited

1

E Entertainment UK Limited

1

ESPN (Europe, Middle East, Africa) Limited

1

Gamecast UK Limited

1

GMTV Ltd

1

Granada Television Limited

1

International Television Channel Europe Limited

1

Islam Channel Limited

1

ITV Broadcasting Limited

1

ITV2 Limited

1

Just4Us TV Limited and Playboy TV UK/ Benelux Limited

1

Lakeland Radio Limited

1

Leith Community Mediaworks Ltd

1

Life Show-Case Ltd

1

Life TV Media Ltd

1

LWT (Holdings) Limited

2

Majestic TV Limited

1

Mohiuddin Digital Television Limited

1

More FM Ltd (formerly One Gold Radio Ltd)

1

MTV Networks Europe

1

Neath Port Talbot Broadcasting CIC

1

Playboy TV UK/Benelux Limited

1

Portland Enterprises (C.I.) Limited

1

Press TV Limited

1

Radio Asian Fever Community Interest Company

1

Regis 1 Limited

1

RHF Productions & Portland Enterprises

1

Satellite Entertainment Limited

4

Springdoo Media and User Generated Broadcasting

1

Square 1 Management Limited

2

St Albans and Watford Broadcasting Limited

1

Sunrise TV Ltd

1

Takbeer TV Limited

1

TalkSPORT Limited

1

Teletext Limited

1

The British Broadcasting Corporation (“the BBC”)

13

The Light Academy Limited

1

Venus TV Ltd

1

Voice of Africa Radio Limited

2

14th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which broadcasters have been found in breach of the broadcasting code without being sanctioned as a result in the last 10 years; and how many times each of those broadcasters were found in breach of the broadcast code in the last 10 years.

Ofcom currently licenses 1,175 television services and 871 radio services. These services are required to comply with the rules in Ofcom’s codes. As set out in Ofcom's last Annual Report, they assessed 23,420 broadcasting complaints between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016. During this period, they conducted 205 investigations and recorded 127 breaches of the Broadcasting Code (or other Ofcom codes).

Over the past ten years, Ofcom has recorded over 2,500 breaches of the Broadcasting Code. Any further breakdown of this data would require a disproportionate use of resources.

14th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many times Sky Plc has been sanctioned by Ofcom under the broadcast code in the last 10 years.

Ofcom has not imposed a statutory sanction (such as a financial penalty) under the Broadcasting Code on Sky Plc or any entity of which we are aware in which it holds shares, in the last 10 years.

14th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many times 21st Century Fox has been sanctioned by Ofcom under the broadcast code in the last 10 years.

Ofcom has not imposed a statutory sanction (such as a financial penalty) under the Broadcasting Code on 21st Century Fox Inc or any entity of which we are aware in which it holds shares, in the last 10 years.

7th Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received on the implications for the UK continuing to access the Digital Single Market of the UK leaving the EU.

The Department has been meeting with a range of stakeholders on this issue. Together with the Department for Exiting the EU we are analysing all the impacts of leaving the EU and continuing to engage on Digital Single Market matters to secure the right deal for Britain.

6th Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that the diverse needs of the creative industries will be supported after the UK leaves the EU.

The Creative Industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories, contributing over £87 billion to the economy (5.7% GVA) and over £19 billion in exports.

We are working closely for example through the Creative Industries Council (CIC), who represent the whole of the creative industries, to understand both the possible opportunities and impacts presented by the UK’s decision leaving the EU.

We have also hosted a series of roundtables with businesses and industry representatives from across the creative industries to discuss these matters. We are committed to helping our world-leading creative industries thrive in a post-brexit Britain. We have also announced a sector review of the creative industries as part of the recently published Industrial Strategy Green Paper to help underpin their future prosperity.

13th Jul 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make representations to her EU counterparts and the European Commission on amending provisions related to take-down notices in the Electronic Commerce Directive 2002.

Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. During this period the Government will continue to negotiate, implement and apply EU legislation.

12th Jul 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on artistic remuneration for online content.

Ministers and Officials from both Departments meet regularly to discuss a range of issues.

6th Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what reports he has received on the costs, time taken and other difficulties related to the visa process for UK musicians performing in the US; and whether his Department has made representations on those costs and difficulties to the US government.

My Department is working closely with the FCO, BIS, the US Government, UKTI and the UK music industry to maximise opportunities for emerging and established musicians to perform to audiences in the United States and around the world. I recognise the US government's desire to strike the right balance between cultural exchange, creative exports and security. I hope together we can pursue practical improvements to the visa system which enable British talent to flourish in the US and around the world


​Between 2012 and 2016, the Government invested £460 million in a range of music and cultural education programmes. We introduced tax relief for orchestras and started a successful music export scheme which has helped many musicians to go abroad.​ Discussions are ongoing about a revamp of the Music Export Growth Scheme and we hope to make an announcement shortly.

3rd Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with the US government on UK musicians wishing to obtain performance visas for that country; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is working closely with the FCO, BIS, the US Government, UKTI and the UK music industry to maximise opportunities for emerging and established musicians to perform to audiences in the United States and around the world. I recognise the US government's desire to strike the right balance between cultural exchange, creative exports and security. I hope together we can pursue practical improvements to the visa system which enable British talent to flourish in the US and around the world


​Between 2012 and 2016, the Government invested £460 million in a range of music and cultural education programmes. We introduced tax relief for orchestras and started a successful music export scheme which has helped many musicians to go abroad.​ Discussions are ongoing about a revamp of the Music Export Growth Scheme and we hope to make an announcement shortly.

3rd Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the US embassy in London, (b) the US Consulate in Belfast and (c) local councils on allowing UK musicians attempting to obtain visas to the US to conduct visa interviews in their local areas.

My Department is working closely with the FCO, BIS, the US Government, UKTI and the UK music industry to maximise opportunities for emerging and established musicians to perform to audiences in the United States and around the world. I recognise the US government's desire to strike the right balance between cultural exchange, creative exports and security. I hope together we can pursue practical improvements to the visa system which enable British talent to flourish in the US and around the world


​Between 2012 and 2016, the Government invested £460 million in a range of music and cultural education programmes. We introduced tax relief for orchestras and started a successful music export scheme which has helped many musicians to go abroad.​ Discussions are ongoing about a revamp of the Music Export Growth Scheme and we hope to make an announcement shortly.

3rd Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on working together to support musicians in obtaining performance visas for the US.

My Department is working closely with the FCO, BIS, the US Government, UKTI and the UK music industry to maximise opportunities for emerging and established musicians to perform to audiences in the United States and around the world. I recognise the US government's desire to strike the right balance between cultural exchange, creative exports and security. I hope together we can pursue practical improvements to the visa system which enable British talent to flourish in the US and around the world


​Between 2012 and 2016, the Government invested £460 million in a range of music and cultural education programmes. We introduced tax relief for orchestras and started a successful music export scheme which has helped many musicians to go abroad.​ Discussions are ongoing about a revamp of the Music Export Growth Scheme and we hope to make an announcement shortly.

3rd Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with the Department for (a) Culture, Media and Sport and (b) Business, Innovation and Skills on steps to support UK musicians in obtaining performance visas for the US; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is working closely with the FCO, BIS, the US Government, UKTI and the UK music industry to maximise opportunities for emerging and established musicians to perform to audiences in the United States and around the world. I recognise the US government's desire to strike the right balance between cultural exchange, creative exports and security. I hope together we can pursue practical improvements to the visa system which enable British talent to flourish in the US and around the world


​Between 2012 and 2016, the Government invested £460 million in a range of music and cultural education programmes. We introduced tax relief for orchestras and started a successful music export scheme which has helped many musicians to go abroad.​ Discussions are ongoing about a revamp of the Music Export Growth Scheme and we hope to make an announcement shortly.

2nd Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the economic value of the visual arts sector was in the last five years.

The visual arts are a very important part of the UK's wider cultural and creative industries sectors and employ 1.8 million people. According to the latest set of government statistics published last month, the value of sectors categorised under 'artistic creation' - which include the visual arts - between 2010 and 2014 was £9.35 billion.

26th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with (a) broadcasters and (b) Ofcom on the Ofcom review into the regulatory framework of independent television production; and if he will make a statement.

Ofcom reported on the operation of the television production sector on 23 December. I am now considering that report, and will make a decision in due course.

26th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance he has given to local authorities on the inclusion of volunteer-led libraries in the sampling arrangements for Public Lending Right.

The British Library administers the Public Lending Right (PLR) scheme and calculates PLR paymentsusing loans data from a sample of UK public library authorities.Where a local authority includes a community - supported library in its statutory library service, loans from that library would fall within the PLR scheme. Further information is availableatwww.gov.uk/public-lending-right-how-it-applies.

13th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that payment of royalties is made by platform providers to broadcasters as well as to the rights-holders of programmes.

The Government’s consultation on the balance of payments between pay TV platforms and Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) closed on 30 June 2015. The consultation examined the flow of payments between PSBs and pay TV platforms, and whether regulations relating to these transactions are necessary to ensure broadcasters can deliver the highest quality content, at the best price, to the widest possible audience. Department for Culture, Media and Sport officials are now analysing with a view to publishing a Government response in due course.

12th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has for the future regulation of television content royalty payments.

The Government’s consultation on the balance of payments between pay TV platforms and Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) closed on 30 June 2015. The consultation examined the flow of payments between PSBs and pay TV platforms, and whether regulations relating to these transactions are necessary to ensure broadcasters can deliver the highest quality content, at the best price, to the widest possible audience. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has received responses, and is now analysing with a view to publishing a Government response in due course.