Asked by: Stephen Hammond (Conservative - Wimbledon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the BBC on holding a public consultation on (a) offering monthly license subscriptions and (b) other future funding proposals.
Answered by John Whittingdale
It is already possible to pay for a TV licence in monthly instalments. More information is set out on the TV Licensing website: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay.
The government has no plans to offer a public consultation on TV licence payment plans at this time.
On future funding proposals, the government has committed to maintain the licence fee funding model for the duration of this 11 year Charter period, until 2027.
The Secretary of State has recently written to the BBC and S4C to begin the process of setting the licence fee for at least 5 years from April 2022.
Asked by: Stephen Hammond (Conservative - Wimbledon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether an internationally recognised music artist would be exempt from the covid-19 quarantine rules when entering England for the purpose of filming a global pay per view livestream and DVD recording.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
At present there are no such exemptions available for musicians coming to the UK.
We continue to work with the cultural and creative sectors to explore all options to support them through this challenging period, including on proposals for exemptions from quarantine. We are continuing to work with the Department for Transport on proposals for an exemption for Performing Arts professionals.
All decisions about exemptions and other measures will need to be considered in light of the wider public health context and the bar for exemptions remains very high.
Asked by: Stephen Hammond (Conservative - Wimbledon)
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 publish bespoke covid-19 guidance for businesses providing activity classes for children under 5 years old.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
On 13 August, the Government announced that indoor play and indoor soft play venues can open from 15 August. We have also been working with BALPPA, the trade body that represents the industry to develop guidance that lays out detailed measures that should be taken by indoor play and indoor soft play operators to make venues COVID-secure. These include closing ball pits and sensory areas, reducing capacity of venues and soft play frames, regular deep cleaning, pre-bookable timed sessions, increased sanitation, and a rigorous process to support track and trace. Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active and the Government is committed to reopening facilities as soon as it is safe to do so. Since 4 July other indoor facilities, including some indoor games, recreation and entertainment venues have reopened.
As with all aspects of the Government’s response to COVID-19, we continue to be guided by public health considerations to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.
Asked by: Stephen Hammond (Conservative - Wimbledon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when the Charity Commission plans to publish the report on its inquiry into Wimbledon And Putney Commons Conservators.
Answered by John Whittingdale
As the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, the Charity Commission always aims to conclude investigations as soon as is practicable, but the length of an inquiry can depend on many factors including the nature and complexity of the issues and any involvement with or representations from third parties.
The Charity Commission’s planned publication of its concluding report on its inquiry into Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators was delayed earlier this year as a result of a potential legal challenge. The Charity Commission is currently considering a large number of complex representations made in relation to the report. The report will be published on GOV.UK and shared with interested third parties as soon as possible once these representations have been fully considered.
Asked by: Stephen Hammond (Conservative - Wimbledon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the reasons are for the delay in publication of the Charity Commission’s report on its inquiry into Wimbledon And Putney Commons Conservators.
Answered by John Whittingdale
As the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, the Charity Commission always aims to conclude investigations as soon as is practicable, but the length of an inquiry can depend on many factors including the nature and complexity of the issues and any involvement with or representations from third parties.
The Charity Commission’s planned publication of its concluding report on its inquiry into Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators was delayed earlier this year as a result of a potential legal challenge. The Charity Commission is currently considering a large number of complex representations made in relation to the report. The report will be published on GOV.UK and shared with interested third parties as soon as possible once these representations have been fully considered.