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Written Question
Channel Four Television
Tuesday 26th October 2021

Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate her Department has made of the annual value of the intellectual property and exports generated for independent producers by working with Channel 4.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Channel 4 has played an important role in supporting independent production in the UK. The government has been clear that we want Channel 4 to remain a public service broadcaster, with obligations and benefits similar to those all public service broadcasters have - including those PSBs that are currently privately-owned broadcasters - if there is a change of ownership.

We are clear that Channel 4’s public service remit, and its strengths in working with independent producers are precisely the strengths we would expect to be attractive to a buyer, and that we would expect any buyer to be likely to nurture and develop through new investment.

We have consulted on a potential change of ownership of Channel 4. Our public consultation closed on 14 September. We are carefully considering the views and evidence we have received to inform the government’s policy-making and final decision.

Whatever decision we make about the future ownership model of Channel 4 will not compromise this government’s commitment to the independent production sector and to the wider creative economy.

Written Question
Channel Four Television: Privatisation
Tuesday 26th October 2021

Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make it his policy to maintain Channel 4’s 50 per cent commissioning spend outside of London in the event that Channel 4 is privatised.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Whatever decision is made about Channel 4’s ownership, we are clear that any changes will not compromise our commitment to the independent production sector or the wider creative economy, including our creative powerhouses across the UK. We are clear that we want Channel 4 to remain a public service broadcaster, with public service obligations.

We have consulted on the best ownership model to support Channel 4 for years to come. Our public consultation ran for 10 weeks before closing on 14 September. We are carefully considering the views and evidence we have received to inform the government’s policy-making and final decision.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 24 Mar 2021
Online Anonymity and Anonymous Abuse

"I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Siobhan Baillie) for securing this important debate. Over the past year, we have all spent more time online, for good and for ill. The pressure of the pandemic has shown us some of the very best parts of our society and …..."
Simon Fell - View Speech

View all Simon Fell (Con - Barrow and Furness) contributions to the debate on: Online Anonymity and Anonymous Abuse
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 04 Feb 2021
Oral Answers to Questions

" What steps his Department has taken to support local leisure centres during the covid-19 outbreak. ..."
Simon Fell - View Speech

View all Simon Fell (Con - Barrow and Furness) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 04 Feb 2021
Oral Answers to Questions

"Dalton community leisure centre in my constituency is badly in need of support. It is a fantastic organisation—a community-run charity with a devoted team led by Bernard McPeake—but covid has hit it very hard, with losses running into the hundreds of thousands of pounds. It supports 17 schools and the …..."
Simon Fell - View Speech

View all Simon Fell (Con - Barrow and Furness) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 19 Jan 2021
UK Musicians: EU Visa Arrangements

"I have been contacted by a number of constituents on this issue, notably the Furness Tradition group. Could my hon. Friend confirm that, despite some of the reporting in recent days, touring in the EU is still possible for UK artists and musicians, and that the Government are working towards …..."
Simon Fell - View Speech

View all Simon Fell (Con - Barrow and Furness) contributions to the debate on: UK Musicians: EU Visa Arrangements
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 08 Dec 2020
Gambling and Lotteries

"Thank you for battling to the end of the call list, Mr Deputy Speaker; I appreciate it. I warmly welcome this statement. A few months ago, I met Furness Gamblers Anonymous, which does incredible work to support those who suffer most from addiction. I welcome the fact that such organisations …..."
Simon Fell - View Speech

View all Simon Fell (Con - Barrow and Furness) contributions to the debate on: Gambling and Lotteries
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 09 Nov 2020
Football Spectator Attendance: Covid-19

"I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent North (Jonathan Gullis) for introducing the debate. The Bluebirds, Barrow AFC, are more than a football club—they are the backbone of our community. In June, they were promoted to the English Football League after 48 years away—they had a phenomenal season. …..."
Simon Fell - View Speech

View all Simon Fell (Con - Barrow and Furness) contributions to the debate on: Football Spectator Attendance: Covid-19
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 30 Sep 2020
Professional and Amateur Sport: Government Support

"I thank my hon. Friend for his welcome words of support for the sector, and I echo the words of the hon. Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood (Cat Smith). Barrow AFC was promoted into the football league after 48 years away. It should be on the up and celebrating, but …..."
Simon Fell - View Speech

View all Simon Fell (Con - Barrow and Furness) contributions to the debate on: Professional and Amateur Sport: Government Support
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 21 Jul 2020
BBC

"May I compliment you on your choice of tie, Mr Speaker? Barrow Raiders will be delighted...."
Simon Fell - View Speech

View all Simon Fell (Con - Barrow and Furness) contributions to the debate on: BBC