Live Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Questions House of Commons

Order, order. Questions to be secretary of state for Culture,

Media and Sport. Mr Jim Cunningham. Before I start, can I remind the

house but I plan to make a statement between the merger between Sky and

temp two. I won't answer any questions until then. -- 21st

Century Fox. The BBC will take on the full cost of the over 75s

concession. I must say that the specific statement is not referenced

on the order paper at all. The is a reference to ministerial questions

and that is the extent of the information bar vault, but we are

always grateful for extra information. Mr Jim Cunningham.

Given that the BBC was not responsible for the welfare policy,

can the Secretary of State to meet when the BBC did become responsible

for such a policy, such as welfare. Can I apologise. I did mean to say

on being annunciator rather than the order paper. As part of the

negotiations for the BBC charter, the BBC degree to take on the over

75s licence fee and that was agreed as part of the 11 year charter which

all parties were happy with. On the subject of concessions, she will

also be aware that there are black and white television concessions and

I learnt this morning that some 300 people in Wales have black-and-white

television licences. Can she confirm whether or not she have any plans to

change that concession? Mr Speaker, I do not have any plans to do that

at this stage. Mr Tom Watson. Good to see you back in the chair Mr

Speaker. The Conservative Party's manifesto set on page 66 that

pension benefits including free TV licences would continue for the

duration of this Parliament. That is until 2022. Is that still a

commitment? Mr Speaker, the manifesto said that we won't respect

any concessions and I would expect the BBC to continue with that. The

government cannot guarantee free TV licences after 2022 without

reopening its deal with the BBC. The Secretary of State does not appear

to want to do that. This raises the question, why was it in the

manifesto anyway? Was it a cynical promise she knew she would break or

was it a typographical error? The manifesto is ensuring that the

concessions that are available are available and I would expect that

the BBC would continue with the concession post 2020. Given the

grossly inflated salaries the BBC pays to some of its top managers and

presenters and the appalling fact that it is still a criminal offence

not to have a TV licence as opposed to a civil penalty, isn't it the

very least that BBC can do is to continue that the over 75s get the

TV licence free of charge. My honourable friend makes an

interesting point. From now, the accounts of the BBC will show or

persons who are paid over ?150,000. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We

want the best deal for Britain using the European Union. The creative

industries are one of the UK's noticed strengths and we want to see

them continue to strive. Given the importance of creative industries of

East Lothian as a continual site for film locations, what discussions

have been held with the Scottish Government regarding the impact of

Brexit on the creative industries and what assurances can be given

that investment in the creative industries will continue after

Brexit? I have every confidence that the creative industries, I was in

Scotland on Monday talking to people from the industry, I am confident

they will go from strength to strength and we will get the best

deal for the creative industries. People invest in creative industries

because of the talent pool. Will he ensured that outside of the EU, the

UK remains the leader when it comes to talent and investment. Yes. The

lady has an identical question. It is a similar question. Figures from

screen Yorkshire shows Yorkshire's plastic film and TV industry. The

absence of a process Brexit plan creates insecurity and could lead to

job losses. Can the Minister tell us what support they can give to

projects that are supported by European funding are not left to

wither on the vine? European funding has been a part of the success of

the film industry and the ish Treasury has already made sure that

that funding will continue up to 2020, but it is only one part of it.

The tax credits that my honourable friend mentioned have been an

important part. I would agree that just as Scotland, Yorkshire is

benefiting from our booming film industry. Could the minister

outlined the support he plans to give to help creative hubs continue

to develop over the years ahead? Video games are doing an incredible

thing for the UK. Exports right across the country in the south-east

and all the way up to Scotland and we'll continue to back them. Mr

Speaker, newspapers and the media are very much part of our creative

industries, so as we leave the EU, could the minister explained what

the department's policy is on section 40 of Leveson to, which are

relevant to the industry as it also prepares for Brexit. As he knows, we

on this side of the house are very strong supporters of the newspaper

industry, especially local newspapers who don't need extra

costs adding on to them by certain proposals and given that we are such

strong supporters of been new sport industry, we have a consultation out

on this issue and I am sure he will look forward to the answer. I will

leave others to charge whether the question was at the site, but if it

was anything, it was creative. In Scotland we have a strong and

innovative vibrant sector that employs 75,000 people, many of whom

are EU nationals. We Brexit looming, what assurances can he give to

Scotland's and across the UK that this country will be able to attract

and retain the talent that is vital to the creative industry and they

can work with unnecessary barriers? We are seeking to do a deal to

ensure the future of European union nationals resident here. We are also

open to the brightest and the best from around the world. The single

thing that is the most important thing for keeping the creative

industry is thriving in Scotland is remaining part of the United

Kingdom. Minister Tracy Crouch. I have not made such an assessment,

but the lawn tennis Association does review events in this country

working with other organisations. I'm sure you will agree and the

house will agree that British tennis is in the healthiest state it has

been in for many years and I'm sure the house will join me in joining or

our players good luck for Wimbledon next week.

Professional tennis does not begin and end at Wimbledon. A number of

futures tournaments have gone down from 23 in Great Britain to just six

last year. But the Minister agree with me that the number of futures

tournaments up crucial for supporting British players to make

it in the professional game and will she join me in urging the LTA to

have the number of tournaments that most of our European competitors do

and increase the number of tournaments for men and women next

year? One of the frustrating things being sports Minister is that we

don't get to make all of the decisions that people want is to

make. I do agree that if you are going to encourage talent to play

tennis at the highest level, you do need to have the right level of

international events. That is an issue for the LTA, but my job is to

make sure we have money going into the grass roots of that sport so we

can grow the talent. Another tennis enthusiast, Rebecca Powell.

I am a great believer that playing tennis can set one up well for life

with all its skills including rapid reaction skills, which we see

demonstrated from the speakers chair every day.

LAUGHTER In Taunton Deane, the tennis centre

offers tennis for all abilities and wheelchair users, and holds

tournaments. Whilst it is important to grade the game at the top level,

it is also important to courage people in at the grassroots level,

not least for the health and well-being spin offs for the whole

nation. I entirely agree with my honourable friend on every point

that she made. My honourable friend is absolutely right, and she is an

advocate for the benefits of tennis, and that is why we have invested ?8

million into the Lawn Tennis Association to grow the game, and we

will continue to do so going forward. I will just say that the

honourable lady regularly champions Taunton and all at sporting events,

and the women's World Cup is being hosted in Taunton this weekend, and

I wish them the best of luck. Excellent. The Government will

maintain the licence fee funding model for the BBC for the duration

of the new 11 year Charter period. I thank the Secretary of State for

that answer. We welcome the additional ?30 million investment

for the new digital BBC Scotland channel, but this doesn't come close

to the ?320 million raised in Scotland. Is now not the time to

ensure that Scotland can properly invest in our sector and talent to

make more programmes such as why Paisley should be the UK City of

Culture 2021. I met with the chair of the BBC on Monday to discuss this

very matter with them, ensuring that the BBC does contribute to nations

and regions appropriately, and he will know that the new ABC board

which has a nonexecutive director from each of the home nations means

it is incorporated such but that board can ensure that these voices

are properly heard. Does the Minister agree with me that

broadcasters, particularly those in fees of licence fee money, should

confront rather than cosy up to politically motivated websites which

have a fake news? My honourable friend makes a very important point,

and I am sure that that will have been heard by those he is referring

to. Number five, Mr Speaker. I regularly engage with the BBC on a

range of issues, including its plans to serve audiences in the nations

and regions, and I'm confident the BBC is committed to supporting the

creative economies in each nation. The Secretary of State will be well

aware how proud I am that Wales is home to the Tardis and many other,

and we have fantastic support for the BBC, but would she agree with me

that there needs to be more focus on ensuring that jobs and opportunities

go to local people? We need to get everybody into our creative

industries. The honourable gentleman is right, the creative industry is

one of our great strengths, one that can bring high-quality, high value

jobs to the nations and regions, and as I said in answer to the previous

question, IDG meet the director-general of the BBC on that

point. There are concerns that radio programmes currently produced at

media city could be lost at our region. What assurances can the

Secretary of State gave that regional voices will be protected in

this tendering process? I agree with the honourable lady, Media City is a

great success story, and more people are employed in Media City in

Salford today than we in the heyday of when it was a major port is a

great example of how creative industries and new industries can

bring such wealth to the nations and regions, and as I said in answer to

the previous question, I have discussed this answer with the chair

and director-general, and will continue to do so. Northern Ireland

had very minimal coverage of local constituencies, and it was felt that

the regional coverage of Northern Ireland by the BBC is sparse, so

what can be done to increase engagement and resources between the

BBC and Northern Ireland representative to ensure

representation? I refer to the answers I have previously given, but

I also urge the honourable gentleman if he does have concerns about the

coverage Turing the election period that Ofcom is now the regulator, and

I would in courage the concerns to be put off, so that they can look

into them. The Government wants everyone to have the best access to

arts and culture wherever they live, that is why I am delighted that 60%

of the arts Council this week and 75% of the lottery funding from 2018

will be invested outside London. I begin by congratulating the

honourable member on his first appearance on the front bench.

Austerity has forced midlands local authorities to cut spending on

culture, so the arts Council announcement to invest extra money

outside London was very welcome, and I'm delighted to see support for

city arts, Nottingham Playhouse and other organisations in our city

which he is welcome to visit. EU funding has also been

transformational, and Nottingham Contemporary couldn't have been

built without it, so will he guarantee to replace that funding

when Britain leaves the EU? The value is in collaboration in terms

of arts and culture funding, and she is right that the announcements this

week are excellent for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and I will do

all I can working with the chief executive of the arts Council to see

that the priorities in the sector are addressed across this country.

And I warmly welcome the new Minister to this place, and I ask

him what advice he could give to smaller regional museums like

Congleton Museum which has an exciting expansion opportunity for

which it needs to secure grant funding. I thank the honourable lady

for her question, and I notice Konta has been done well already to be

awarded 65,000 to buy the awards of Cheshire -- the

hoards of Cheshire. Isn't it time that the lottery didn't just publish

how much money it spends in each constituency but also how many

tickets are purchased in each constituency so we can see of the

poorest areas are subsidising the richest? I am grateful for that

point and she makes an interesting point, I would be happy to discuss

it further with her and see if we can move that forward. Mr Speaker, I

welcome the announcement this week that there is more funding for arts

and museums in Nottingham city, but I wonder if the Minister heard me

mention this week the potential for a mining Museum in my constituency

of Mansfield, and if he would meet with me to help us further celebrate

that heritage and culture. I would like to welcome my honourable friend

to this place, and congratulate him on his election to the House. I

would point out that seven of the new joiners outside of the city

itself, but I would happy to have discussions with him to see what can

be done to assist him in his plans. We welcome the Arts Council's

decision to increase funding outside of London, but he must be aware that

there are brilliant institutions like the People's history museum who

are primarily dependent on local authorities for funding. Will he now

consider following the Arts Council's leading give us back some

of the money that has been slashed from local authority budgets so that

we can start a fund again some of the most innovative cultural

institutions in this country. Some local authorities do see the value

of investing in arts and culture, and alongside the arts Council

grants make a massive contribution to extending the footprint. But I'm

very happy to look into the case she raises. The Minister will be aware

that doorstep arts as a home-grown theatre and arts company in Paignton

and has just become the first organisation in Torbay to be part of

the national portfolio. Will he join me in welcoming this, and the

?382,000 of funding they will receive from the Arts Council

following this? I would be delighted to do so, and happy to visit his

constituency and see some of the excellent work he has been doing

with the tourist sector as well. Question seven, Mr Speaker. I

welcome high here, and also tell the House that 93.2% of premises in the

country now have access to superfast broadband on track to deliver access

to 95% by the end of the year, and our universal service obligation

will make sure every premise can have access to high-speed board

banned by 2020. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Slow and poor quality

broadband is Sirius and hampering a number of businesses in my

constituency of Blaydon. As I'm sure they are in other members'

constituencies. What plan does he have to make sure that 100% of areas

have access to high-speed, high quality broadband? I understand the

frustration of people, and people running businesses in her

constituency and in others, getting the access to broadband up to over

93% has been a big and positive task. We clearly want to get

high-speed broadband available to everybody, that is why we legislated

for the universal service obligation, and I look forward to

making sure that it happens. Thanks to the Government's commitment to

providing high-speed board banned to rural areas, since 2015 8432 more

homes and businesses in my constituency are on high-speed

broadband, but 10% of homes and businesses are still not an

high-speed or bad. Could my honourable friend please assure me

that the cap for the very important universal broadband service

commitment will be high enough to make sure that high-speed broadband

reaches the most rural areas in my constituency? It is clearly an

incredibly important point, to make sure that the universal application

of access to broadband reaches as far as possible, but of course there

are techniques and technologies that don't require a physical line, like

fixed wireless broadband, which we can use in the really rural areas.

On Monday, we were all pleased to learn that the people of Northern

Ireland are to benefit from another ?150 million of investment in

digital infrastructure necessary for the development and growth of their

economy, very welcome news indeed. On Tuesday we learned from the

consumers Association Which that the poorest connectivity speeds in the

whole country are in Orkney and Shetland. When will we get our cash?

We put enormous investment into the North of Scotland and the islands in

order to expand both fixed broadband and mobile phone connectivity, and

he knows that. It is a great pity that the contracts signed to get

broadband to Scotland were signed more slowly than with England or

with Wales, and that is I'm afraid because we devolve responsibility

for that to the Scottish Government. Despite superfast broadband access

being a requirement of new estates such as an willow road in Norton

Keynes, residents who have speeds of a decade ago are not being upgraded.

What measures are being put in place to ensure that new estates have

superfast broadband? It is simply ridiculous of any new estates to be

built without decent broad and connectivity. It ill behoves any

developer to put in a development without the very best connectivity.

The big developers have said that for any group of houses, more than

30 houses, they will put in fibre broadband, and it is now the law

that big new developments need to have superfast broadband. But I'm

very happy to work with her and others to make this happen, because

it must happen. Begu, Mr Speaker. Given the increasing intensity of

cyber attacks and threats to national infrastructure, it is

shocking to see no mention of cyber security in the Queen's Speech. Can

the Minister confirm that the Government's cyber Security strategy

relies on a scheme which claims to be a badge of assurance for

thousands of businesses and institutions, but is in fact based

on outdated technology, redundant hacking approaches, and

astonishingly was itself hacked last week? No, I dead recognise what she

says. Cyber security is incredibly important, which is why we brought

in a put together the national cyber Security Centre which has been

leading all these issues. The laws we have other laws that we need

largely on cyber, and that is why there wasn't a need for a mention in

the Queen's Speech. What we do in Government is not only the

legislative programme, it is also protecting people in terms of cyber

security. I will give the Minister the chance

to correct the record. Is it not the case that the cyber security scheme

makes no reference to encryption or the hacking of passwords. The

take-up of both schemes have been low and neither makes reference to

the cloud and that the cyber essential scheme was hacked last

week. The honourable lady ill behoves what is normally a

reasonable approach because the cyber essentials scheme is

incredibly important for improving cyber security. All businesses

should look at it and I would say it should implement it and for the

Labour Party to try to make party political noises out of something

that is incredibly important for our country shows that they simply

haven't got what it takes. Thank you, Mr Speaker. With permission I

would like to group this question the question 17. Government is

committed to ensure that young children have the best opportunities

to engage in physical activities. We are investing over ?194 million into

schemes to make sure they ensure physical activities. Sporting

participation has a number of health benefits and also for learning

outcomes for our young people. What work is being done with the

Department for Education to further access sport in schools? Given my

brazen attempts to steal school sport from the Department for

Education, I can only tell the house that we have a very strong cross

governmental approach to this matter. The last 18 months has seen

two landmark strategies published and we continue to work very closely

with the Department for Education on a range of other strategies. If the

?400 million sugar tax is spent wisely, we can open our schools in

the holidays, transforming sport for young people. Will the Minister

visit Draycott sports camp to see how they have opened so that 250

young people can participate in physical activities. If he has an

opportunity over the course of the next week, I encourage him and other

members to find out where the local school games are and to go along and

visit them because they really are providing a real way of changing

attitudes towards sport and physical activity. Disabled young people in

Wrexham benefit from the Wrexham disabled viewing platforms at the

football ground there. The premiership really means to learn

from Wrexham. What progress is being made in providing excellent

facilities for young people to view football matches who are disabled? I

thank the honourable gentleman for his question. We believe that in the

sports strategy that people with disabilities having access to sport

is a way to get them engaged with sport and I can tell him and the

House that I expect the final report from the Premier League towards the

end of August, early September. The Minister like me is passionate in

helping young women participate in sport. Can I ask as part of her work

to do something entirely cost free and tell headteachers to stop making

young women wear ridiculous school uniforms for school sport. Let them

wear something comfortable and they will do sport. I don't have the

power to tell headteachers anything, but I'm sure the Secretary of State

for Education will have her comments. I do know from the

analysis that has been done about women and girls in sport that we do

see a drop off in girls at around age of 14. It's where they become

more body conscious and having flexibility in what they whilst Bob

participate in sport may well be an answer to that. Harlow gymnastics

club is an outstanding sports club that helps many young disadvantaged

people. They suffer because they are a limited company with the VAT

rates. Will the Minister visit the club and make sure that it continues

to give young people a great service? My honourable friend is far

better at lobbying the Treasury than anybody else in this House. I would

like to congratulate Harlow gymnastics on its tenth anniversary.

I see they run a number of exciting initiatives, including the head over

heels programme for under the age of four.

Mr Speaker, since the last oral questions the Department has lost an

excellent minister in Rob Wilson and I would like to publicly express my

thanks for all his work. He is very sadly missed. We have however gained

another excellent member. I welcome him to the team and I commend his

stellar performance at the dispatch box. We are midway through a huge

year for sporting events in the UK and I wish all competitors well. I'm

sure all honourable members will join me in wishing happy birthday to

the Edinburgh Festival which turns 70 this summer. Can I check that the

honourable member of Mole Valley is in his face. I'm sure you will all

join me in wishing the Lions well for the match on Saturday. Regarding

the VAT, is the Secretary of State discussing this? It wasn't something

that was in our manifesto, it was in the DUP's. I have been lobbied on

this matter on a number of occasions. It is a matter for the

Treasury, but we continue to have conversations. Will my right

honourable friend welcome the appointment of the new chief

Executive of Channel 4. Will bid distinctiveness of Channel 4 be

enhanced by being relocated outside of London? Mr Speaker, yes I do, and

yes I can. Victims of phone hacking were given a cast iron promise to

have a full enquiry into the offences and now they are

second-guessing Leveson two. Why should people have confidence in the

government if they can't give the promises? The first part of the

Leveson enquirer took place six years ago. Many things have happened

since then. The manifesto was clear, but there is a consultation process

which I have to go through. This has never discussed or intended that

vulnerable people in less well off areas would lose ?100 a minute on

fixed odds betting terminals. When will the stake be brought down to

?2? May I just apologise for what will be a tedious response because

although we launch the review in October 2016, the internal approval

and sign off means we are back at the start of the approval. I would

not expect any further announcement until October at the earliest.

Croydon with its vibrant tech city and the redevelopment of Fairfield

Halls and its unique street art scene is fast becoming the new

cultural hub of the south-east. Has the Minister lobbied for continued

access to or equivalent funding for for the ?1.1 billion creative Europe

font post Brexit which is important to the creative arts? I have myself

visited Croydon and I can agree with the analysis that it is extremely

exciting and we are working on the question that she raised. A number

of parents in my constituency are worried about the safety of their

children online. Can I asked my honourable friend to update the

house on what steps are being taken to make the Internet a safer place?

As he knows this is an incredibly important area. Any parent knows the

plural of young people growing up in the Internet age, as well as the

massive opportunities as it brings. The digital charter that Her Majesty

announced as part of the Queen's Speech will bring together these

concerns and issues and make sure we can lead the world in providing the

right balance between freedom and security online. This month is the

tenth anniversary of the floods in Hull when the local BBC radio and

television plays such an important part in communicating with the local

public. I understand there are further discussions of cuts of up to

?15 million to be busy services in England and I wonder whether the

Secretary of State was as worried as I was regarding the effect it could

have on a local community and a democratic resource in all our

communities. I've visited Hull recently and it is a fantastic place

and I would encourage all members to visit this year. Maybe I can speak

to her outside this Chamber about the specific issues she raises.

Further to the question from my right honourable friend the member

for Maldon, would the Secretary of State agreed that moving Channel 4

from London to Bradford or Leeds would give it a much better

perspective on life instead of it being stuffed full of London Labour

luvvies, it might actually benefit from being moved to gritty west

Yorkshire? Mr Speaker, I think my honourable friend has made his pitch

for a location for Channel 4 and perhaps he would make that same

pitch to the board and management of Channel 4. I'm sure he will require

no encouragement whatsoever! Kate Green. Further to my earlier

question to the Secretary of State there are concerns that the

tendering process for BBC radio could lead to a weakening in pay and

conditions. Can this be reviewed? We are determined that it will have the

opposite effect, but I will meet with the honourable lady to discuss

this. Were the Minister join me in not only sending good luck to the

British Irish Lions this summer, but the Scotland women's football team

who have done what the men's team have failed to do from 19 years and

qualified for an international football tournament where we will

meet England the 19th of July. I hope the women's football match

between Scotland and England will be far more thrilling than the men's

much was. Further to the point from the honourable gentleman opposite,,

asked the Minister to get a move on with the crack cocaine of gambling.

My constituency is awash with bookmakers and we need an end to

this sooner rather than later. Can I welcome the honourable gentleman to

the house. I share the frustration of many people. I have been dealing

with this issue since I walked into the Department in 2015. We do have

to make sure that we have a proper evidence -based response to the

issue of stakes and prizes and we are in the process of analysing

that. I should point out that the issues regarding this were devolved

to Scotland. On Sunday I will be in Dodington where an Olympic champion

will be opening a cycling path to allow young people to get out.

Georgie Twigg and the rest of the hockey team have achieved success,

but what is a Secretary of State doing to make sure more women can

get into sport? I share the enthusiasm of the women's hockey

team, having been there in Rio. The initiative my honourable friend is

also about sound exciting. The Stockton International Riverside

Festival attracts thousands of visitors and is growing into one of

the country's it is street art events. This year it celebrates its

30th year. Will the Minister join me in congratulating Stockton Council?

It gives me great pleasure to applaud Stockton Council. It is an

example to other local authorities that when they interested in the

arts, they get a good return. The announcement this week that ?15

million of lottery funding is going to Hull in support of the fishing

heritage is welcome, although in the Grimsby Cleethorpes area, the

returns for funding has been rejected. Could the Minister look at

the share out and balance of lottery funding?

I would be very happy to look at that matter. I have to say that

there are challenges with the lottery funding. I have met with the

chief executive already and I shall have further conversations and be

happy to meet with him, too. I wish the International Edinburgh Festival

happy 70th anniversary. That shows that the UK has some of the best

sporting and entertainment events of the world, but what plan so the

Government have to control ticket prices and make sure the resellers

market doesn't rip off ordinary fans? The honourable gentleman is

right to celebrate the Edinburgh Festival, it is written's biggest

festival and I am looking forward to visiting it later this year, as is

my honourable friend the Minister. He will know that in the digital

economy act the Government legislated to outlaw the use of

bots, and making sure that consumers are treated equally. The Winsford

Colts are the first-ever Cheshire team to play play in the Costa

Blanca cup this year. They have fund raised ?8,000 to get there. Will the

Minister wish them luck and thank all of those who have supported them

in trying to achieve and represent Cheshire out in Spain? I would be

very happy to congratulate the Colts in their endeavours and I wish them

all the very best of luck in their competition in Costa Blanca. I wish

them very well and I hope we will get an update from the honourable

lady in due course. I feel sure that we will! Questions to the Attorney

General. Thank you, Mr Speaker, question one.

The Government has committed to the United Kingdom remaining a signatory