Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Liberal Democrat - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the BBC Board on ensuring that it continues to report on local and regional stories of interest.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Secretary of State meets regularly with the Chair to discuss a wide range of issues.
The Government is currently undertaking a review of the BBC’s Royal Charter. The Green Paper sets out our ambition for the BBC to tell a unifying national story that represents all communities across the UK, and to ensure the BBC provides locally relevant services as it supports the delivery of high quality local journalism.
Asked by: Oliver Dowden (Conservative - Hertsmere)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the BBC on the adequacy of the political impartiality in its news and current affairs output.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Secretary of State meets regularly with the Chair of the BBC to discuss a wide range of issues.
For any public service broadcaster, accountability and trust are key. It is important that the BBC continues to demonstrate how it is working diligently to maintain the highest standards. The BBC is editorially and operationally independent of Government, and this is a crucial component of why people trust it.
The Charter Review is a key opportunity to set the BBC up for success long into the future. The Charter Review Green Paper published in December sets out the Government's ambition to ensure the BBC remains a trusted, independent source of news and consults on options to ensure it maintains the highest editorial standards.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any implications of the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery on (1) the UK's commercial public sector broadcasters, (2) the BBC, and (3) the UK's independent film production sector; and if they have not made any such assessment, whether they intend to do so.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Given the legal and commercial sensitivities involved, it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on any live or potential media merger involving Warner Bros Discovery or other US‑based companies. As set out in our Creative Industries Sector Plan, we recognise that convergence in the TV and streaming market is leading to greater consolidation as companies seek economies of scale. Should any proposed transaction progress, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) would be responsible for examining implications for competition and consumers.
The Government recognises the vital role that cinemas and independent British content play in local communities and in supporting economic growth. That is why we have committed to backing the UK's film and TV industry in the Sector Plan, which includes a £75 million Screen Growth Package with an £18 million per year expansion of the UK Global Screen Fund to support independent UK content. We continue to offer world-leading tax credits - 53% for independent film and 34% for high-end TV - the latter providing over £1 billion in support to British television. We remain in close contact with the British Film Institute, British Film Commission, and UK Cinema Association on the challenges facing content producers and exhibitors.
The Government has also committed to taking action to support the future of public service media, which is why we are getting on with implementing the Media Act 2024 and have recently launched the BBC Charter Review. Ofcom’s Public Service Media review also makes a number of recommendations that will inform that work.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any impact of the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery on the UK's subscription video on demand market and on the domestic streaming sector.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Given the legal and commercial sensitivities involved, it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on any live or potential media merger involving Warner Bros Discovery or other US‑based companies. As set out in our Creative Industries Sector Plan, we recognise that convergence in the TV and streaming market is leading to greater consolidation as companies seek economies of scale. Should any proposed transaction progress, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) would be responsible for examining implications for competition and consumers.
The Government recognises the vital role that cinemas and independent British content play in local communities and in supporting economic growth. That is why we have committed to backing the UK's film and TV industry in the Sector Plan, which includes a £75 million Screen Growth Package with an £18 million per year expansion of the UK Global Screen Fund to support independent UK content. We continue to offer world-leading tax credits - 53% for independent film and 34% for high-end TV - the latter providing over £1 billion in support to British television. We remain in close contact with the British Film Institute, British Film Commission, and UK Cinema Association on the challenges facing content producers and exhibitors.
The Government has also committed to taking action to support the future of public service media, which is why we are getting on with implementing the Media Act 2024 and have recently launched the BBC Charter Review. Ofcom’s Public Service Media review also makes a number of recommendations that will inform that work.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had any discussions with the UK cinema industry about the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Given the legal and commercial sensitivities involved, it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on any live or potential media merger involving Warner Bros Discovery or other US‑based companies. As set out in our Creative Industries Sector Plan, we recognise that convergence in the TV and streaming market is leading to greater consolidation as companies seek economies of scale. Should any proposed transaction progress, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) would be responsible for examining implications for competition and consumers.
The Government recognises the vital role that cinemas and independent British content play in local communities and in supporting economic growth. That is why we have committed to backing the UK's film and TV industry in the Sector Plan, which includes a £75 million Screen Growth Package with an £18 million per year expansion of the UK Global Screen Fund to support independent UK content. We continue to offer world-leading tax credits - 53% for independent film and 34% for high-end TV - the latter providing over £1 billion in support to British television. We remain in close contact with the British Film Institute, British Film Commission, and UK Cinema Association on the challenges facing content producers and exhibitors.
The Government has also committed to taking action to support the future of public service media, which is why we are getting on with implementing the Media Act 2024 and have recently launched the BBC Charter Review. Ofcom’s Public Service Media review also makes a number of recommendations that will inform that work.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has undertaken of the potential impact of Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency winter wellness campaigns during the last five years.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The main Government health winter campaigns are run by the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England, which the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) supports.
The MHRA also runs annual winter campaigns to raise public awareness of medicines and medical devices safety that achieves media coverage and social media engagement.
For example, the MHRA’s 2025/26 campaign provided five public safety tips covering medicines and medical devices. It achieved media coverage in national print and online, regional and trade press, as well as an interview on BBC One Breakfast.
The MHRA created and posted social media content throughout this period which was seen approximately 50,000 times. The MHRA also worked with key stakeholders, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, to help amplify safety messages.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
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 potential implications for her diplomatic policies of broadcasters in other countries boycotting the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest on political grounds.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Any decisions made by international broadcasters regarding the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest are for them alone. The Government is committed to a free and independent media.
Determination of who takes part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Content is a matter for the European Broadcasting Union and its individual members. The BBC is fully participating in Eurovision, and has said it supports the collective decisions made by members of the EBU.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of resilience of an internet-only distribution model for television for public service broadcasting and emergency broadcasting; and what contingency arrangements are in place to guarantee universal access to emergency broadcast information in the event of major cyber incidents, prolonged power outages and mobile or broadband network failure.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government understands how important it is that everyone can access information in times of national emergency. Television and radio both play an important role in providing such access in a range of different emergency scenarios. DCMS works closely with broadcast CNI operators and technical authorities to maintain security and resilience against a wide range of scenarios where communications may be disrupted, including power outages.
The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications.
The Government’s project looking into the future of TV distribution is considering a range of relevant factors, including the future resilience requirements for broadcast networks.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will consider putting proposals relating to the next BBC Charter to a vote in Parliament.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Parliament will have an opportunity to debate the new draft Charter following the consultation and publication of the White Paper. As required by the current Charter, a new draft Charter must be laid before and debated by both Houses of Parliament before a recommendation can be made to His Majesty in Council to grant the Charter.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has held with the BBC on the potential introduction of advertising on BBC services.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Secretary of State is in regular discussion with the BBC about Charter Review and other BBC matters, including on the options for funding the BBC set out in the Charter Review Green Paper. DCMS officials also hold regular meetings with the BBC and Ofcom about Charter Review, including issues relating to BBC funding.
The Government is developing its understanding of the impact of commercial options and will continue to build this throughout the Charter Review process, including through the public consultation and our engagement with stakeholders, including the BBC and Ofcom.