Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the needs of rural communities in her Department’s review of the future of TV distribution; and whether Ofcom plans to conduct a similar review.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Government’s recently launched research and engagement programme will look at how UK audiences, including those in rural communities, will get their TV in the decades to come, across digital terrestrial television (DTT), satellite, cable, and online.
Before any decisions about the future of TV distribution are made, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on DTT as their primary means of watching television.
Ofcom is the UK’s independent broadcasting regulator, and it is for Ofcom to determine the scope of their work. However, as set out in the Broadcasting White Paper, the Government asked Ofcom to continue to track changes in DTT viewing and to undertake an early review on market changes that may affect the future of content distribution before the end of 2025. To that end, Ofcom recently published a call for evidence on the future of TV distribution, which includes how audience trends are changing and how the use of TV platforms varies between different demographics.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to take steps to proscribe Hizb ut Tahrir.
Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
While the UK Government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under review, we do not routinely comment on whether an organisation is or is not being considered for proscription.
We are committed to tackling those who spread views that promote violence and hatred within our communities.
We have some of the strongest laws in the world to protect our citizens.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the potential role of members of Hamas in pro-Palestinian protests in the UK.
Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
The Government takes proscription offences seriously. Investigations into the activities of proscribed organisations or individuals who may be members of or who demonstrate support for proscribed organisations are an operational matter for the police and intelligence agencies.
Following the terrorist attacks on Israel, the (then) Home Secretary wrote to police chiefs in England and Wales urging them to step up patrols and use the full force of the law to tackle those inciting hatred towards our Jewish communities.
Public order policing has disseminated briefing materials to police forces covering hate crime and the proscription offences, including advice on the flags associated with proscribed organisations Hamas and Hizballah.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her expected timeline is on when her Department will launch its consultation on community energy.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government is working with the Community Energy Contact Group on the content of the annual report and consultation. Until these discussions have concluded, the Government is unable to outline a definitive timeline.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the public service value of (a) broadcast TV and (b) radio service for those living in rural communities with minimal access to broadband.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Government remains committed to the future of free-to-air TV and radio services. Millions of households across the UK rely on these services, particularly those living in rural communities. We also recognise the crucial role that free-to-air television and radio services play in the wider UK broadcasting system, in particular in helping ensure that public service content continues to be widely available and free-to-air to all audiences.
The Government has recently launched a major research and engagement programme looking at how UK audiences will get their TV in the decades to come, including digital terrestrial television (DTT), satellite, cable, and online.
Before any decisions about the future of terrestrial television are made, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on DTT as their primary means of watching television.
Currently, over 97% of premises across the UK have access to a superfast connection (>=30 Mbps), which in many cases is likely to be sufficient for audiences wishing to watch or listen online. In addition, by 2025, the Government’s target is to have at least 85% gigabit-capable broadband coverage, and to achieve nationwide coverage (99%+) as soon as possible thereafter, and by 2030. As of November 2023, over 78% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, which represents significant progress since January 2019, when coverage was just 6%.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the value of broadcast services for individuals living in areas with limited broadband connections.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Government remains committed to the future of free-to-air TV and radio services. Millions of households across the UK rely on these services, particularly those living in rural communities. We also recognise the crucial role that free-to-air television and radio services play in the wider UK broadcasting system, in particular in helping ensure that public service content continues to be widely available and free-to-air to all audiences.
The Government has recently launched a major research and engagement programme looking at how UK audiences will get their TV in the decades to come, including digital terrestrial television (DTT), satellite, cable, and online.
Before any decisions about the future of terrestrial television are made, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on DTT as their primary means of watching television.
Currently, over 97% of premises across the UK have access to a superfast connection (>=30 Mbps), which in many cases is likely to be sufficient for audiences wishing to watch or listen online. In addition, by 2025, the Government’s target is to have at least 85% gigabit-capable broadband coverage, and to achieve nationwide coverage (99%+) as soon as possible thereafter, and by 2030. As of November 2023, over 78% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, which represents significant progress since January 2019, when coverage was just 6%.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Defending Democracy Taskforce plans to make an assessment of whether foreign powers may seek to influence political parties through covert donations.
Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
UK electoral law sets out a stringent regime of controls on donations to political parties to ensure that only those with a legitimate interest in UK elections can make donations. Donations from foreign powers – made directly or indirectly – are illegal, and there are strong rules safeguarding against impermissible donations via backdoors.
It is an offence to attempt to evade the rules on donations by concealing information, giving false information, or knowingly facilitating the making of an impermissible donation.
The National Security Act 2023 will create a challenging operating environment for foreign states who seek to undermine UK interests – including our political system. The Act provides for substantially increased maximum penalties for electoral offences relevant to donation rules, where activity is done for, on behalf or with the intention to benefit a foreign power.
The Government has committed to taking forward a consultation on ways to enhance information-sharing between relevant agencies or public bodies to help to identify and mitigate the risk of foreign interference in political donations that are regulated by electoral law. This will be taken forward by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and be supported by the Defending Democracy Taskforce.
The Defending Democracy Taskforce’s mission statement is to reduce the risk to the UK’s democratic processes, institutions, and society. This includes protecting the democratic integrity of the UK from threats of foreign interference. We continue to keep potential threats under review, including foreign interference in public office and political parties, to ensure UK democracy remains robust.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans for the Defending Democracy Taskforce to publish an (a) plan of action and (b) report on its conclusions.
Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
As set out in the Integrated Review Refresh, the Defending Democracy Taskforce is now an enduring Government function. It is a cross-departmental and inter-agency initiative seeking to protect the democratic integrity of the UK from foreign influence. The Taskforce is working on bringing together all components of the system, working across Government and with Parliament, the UK Intelligence Community, devolved governments, local authorities, the private sector and civil society on the full range of threats facing our democratic institutions.
Meetings of the Taskforce are complemented by wider engagement with partners outside central government and Parliament. The Taskforce will continue to use targeted engagement activities to raise awareness of the Taskforce’s priorities in tackling current and future threats.
The work of this Taskforce reports to the Prime Minister via the National Security Council.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to support the growth of the life sciences sector.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Life sciences is one of my priority growth sectors. In May, the Government announced a bold new policy package backed by over £650m funding, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting a thriving life sciences industry.
This follows a number of initiatives announced at Spring Budget that will support the sector, including £10m extra funding for our medicines regulator the MHRA, full expensing of capital expenditure and reforms to R&D tax credits.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of projects funded by the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme top slice in the 2021-22 financial year on levels of further asset recovery.
Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
The performance of the projects funded through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) Top Slice scheme are governed by the Strategic Asset Recovery Group.
This creates a more transparent approach with agency level to ensure accountability, celebrate success, drive best practice, identify barriers, reassure communities and discourage those considering a criminal lifestyle.
We continue to fund critical capabilities through ARIS Top Slice, having nearly doubled investments made in 21/22 (from £7.5m to £13.9m, in 2021/22) with a renewed focus on work to seize criminal cash and crypto assets.