Written questions by Lake.

Media and Sport, whether the Government plans to require the BBC, as part of the next BBC Charter, to continue to distribute its services through platforms that do not require a fixed broadband connection to receive them.

The BBC Charter Review was officially launched on 16 December with the publication of the Terms of Reference and Green Paper. The Charter Review is looking at a range of issues to make sure the BBC truly represents and delivers for every person in this country, including the broadcast technologies the BBC should use to deliver its services. The Government is now considering responses to the public consultation, and these will inform policy decisions for the next BBC Royal Charter. Decisions will be set out in a White Paper, expected to be published later this year.The White Paper will also be informed by the Government’s project to assess the future of TV distribution. Once the Government’s approach to the future of TV distribution has been decided in consultation with the public, we will need to consider how the BBC’s obligations might need to change, and how the BBC can make sure that no one is left behind in any transition to online viewing by centering digital inclusion in its services and activities.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the role of free to air terrestrial television in supporting the reach and universality of the BBC as part of the ongoing BBC Charter Review.

The BBC Charter Review was officially launched on 16 December with the publication of the Terms of Reference and Green Paper. The Charter Review is looking at a range of issues to make sure the BBC truly represents and delivers for every person in this country, including the broadcast technologies the BBC should use to deliver its services. The Government is now considering responses to the public consultation, and these will inform policy decisions for the next BBC Royal Charter. Decisions will be set out in a White Paper, expected to be published later this year.The White Paper will also be informed by the Government’s project to assess the future of TV distribution. Once the Government’s approach to the future of TV distribution has been decided in consultation with the public, we will need to consider how the BBC’s obligations might need to change, and how the BBC can make sure that no one is left behind in any transition to online viewing by centering digital inclusion in its services and activities.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that the interests of viewers in Wales, including those in rural communities who rely on terrestrial television, are represented in Government discussions on the future of television distribution.

The Government is leading a project to assess the future of TV distribution beyond 2034 and is committed to maintaining access for audiences in all parts of the UK. The project is engaging with devolved governments and audience groups representing the interests of Welsh audiences such as the Voice of the Listener and Viewer, the Rural Services Network, and S4C. Before any decision is made close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact Welsh audiences, including those in rural communities.

Media and Sport, what assessment has been made of the role of the UK’s digital terrestrial television network in supporting national resilience and emergency communications.

The Government understands the importance of everyone being able to access information in times of national emergency. Both television and radio play a vital role in providing such access for a range of different emergency scenarios, including scenarios where other communications may be disrupted.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 in a range of scenarios.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. It is important that audiences continue to receive consistent levels of service regardless of how they receive their television, and ensuring that this can happen will be a priority for the project.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure the interests of viewers in Wales are represented in her Department's future of TV distribution stakeholder forum.

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. As part of this process, a wide range of views are being sought. Membership of the Stakeholder Forum includes a range of broadcasters active in Wales, including the Welsh-language broadcaster S4C, the BBC and ITV. The forum also benefits from the perspectives of a number of groups representing the interests of Welsh and UK-wide audiences, such as Voice of the Listener and Viewer, Digital Poverty Alliance and Silver Voices.

Media and Sport, if she will make a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) external lottery managers, (b) bookmakers and (c) other gambling providers on the (i) forms and (ii) levels of gambling harms.

The Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) collects data from its respondents on the gambling activities they participate in and the types of consequences they experience. Rates of gambling harm, measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), are reported by type of gambling activity (such as lotteries or betting), rather than by supplier (such as external lottery manager or bookmaker).The PGSI nonetheless captures a range of harms experienced among those who gamble. The GSGB 2023 annual report found that 4.7% of respondents who had participated in society lotteries had a PGSI score of 8+ (representing ‘problem gambling’ by which a person will have experienced adverse consequences from gambling and may have lost control of their behaviour.) This captures society lotteries run by charities themselves and through external lottery managers. The equivalent rate for other gambling providers varies significantly, from 4.2% to 41.2%.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to invite representatives from the cruise industry to sit on the Tourism Industry Council when it is re-established.

The department is in the process of setting up the new Visitor Economy Council and will share details of the membership as soon as possible when it is confirmed.