Written questions by Cartlidge.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on communities in South Suffolk constituency; and if she will make it her policy to continue providing financial support for the repair and maintenance of listed places of worship.

The Department conducted an evaluation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. The evaluation included an extensive survey of current and past scheme users and is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-listed-places-of-worship-scheme-final-report. The evaluation did not specifically assess the potential impact of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on communities in South Suffolk constituency. However, I can confirm that since August 2022, 146 claims have been paid to listed places of worship in the South Suffolk constituency to a value of £788,456.On 22nd January the Department announced a new capital fund, the Places of Worship Renewal Fund which will provide support for a range of works. This will have an annual budget of £23m starting in 2026/27. This is providing certainty for the remaining years of the Spending Review until 2029/30, providing £92m over the period. Support will be targeted at places of most need. Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process, will be published in due course.

Media and Sport, what eligibility criteria her department intends to apply to the proposed Places of Worship Renewal Fund.

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund will have a budget of £23 million per year. Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process will be published in due course. The fund will begin in the financial year 2026-27.

Media and Sport, whether funding provided through the Proposed Places of Worship Renewal Fund will be subject to an annual cap.

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund will have a budget of £23 million per year. Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process will be published in due course. The fund will begin in the financial year 2026-27.

Media and Sport, whether projects for repairs under the listed places of worship that are already underway will be eligible for support under the proposed Places of Worship Renewal Fund.

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund will have a budget of £23 million per year. Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process will be published in due course. The fund will begin in the financial year 2026-27.

Media and Sport, what timetable her Department has set for the introduction of the proposed Places of Worship Renewal Fund.

Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process will be published in due course. The fund will begin in the financial year 2026-27.

Media and Sport, if she will set out what steps were taken in the Autumn Budget 2025 in respect of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

No decision on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was made during Autumn Budget 2025. Funding after March 2026 will be considered as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport works through the output of the Spending Review and Departmental business planning process.

Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the British Horseracing Authority on the potential impact of proposed gambling restrictions on the racing industry.

Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.Regular discussions are held between the BHA and DCMS on matters of importance to the horse racing industry. The Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling last met with the Chair of the BHA on 11 September. There is not currently any new gambling legislation being proposed that impacts horseracing.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed gambling reforms on the financial viability of horse racing.

Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.Regular discussions are held between the BHA and DCMS on matters of importance to the horse racing industry. The Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling last met with the Chair of the BHA on 11 September. There is not currently any new gambling legislation being proposed that impacts horseracing.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the proposed gambling legislation does not affect the long-term sustainability of horse racing.

Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.Regular discussions are held between the BHA and DCMS on matters of importance to the horse racing industry. The Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling last met with the Chair of the BHA on 11 September. There is not currently any new gambling legislation being proposed that impacts horseracing.

Media and Sport, when she plans to respond to Question 39495 on Veterans: Anniversaries, tabled on 19 March 2025.

Answers were provided to the Hon Member on 25th April. I apologise for the delay.

Media and Sport, when she plans to respond to Question 39494 on Veterans: Anniversaries, tabled on 19 March 2025.

Answers were provided to the Hon Member on 25th April. I apologise for the delay.

Media and Sport, when she plans to respond to Question 39497 on Veterans: Anniversaries, tabled on 19 March 2025.

Answers were provided to the Hon Member on 25th April. I apologise for the delay.

Media and Sport, when she plans to respond to Question 39496 on Veterans: Anniversaries, tabled on 19 March 2025.

Answers were provided to the Hon Member on 25th April. I apologise for the delay.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has allocated separate funding to support World War Two veterans travelling overseas to attend (a) VE day and (b) VJ day commemorative events (i) in the UK (ii) overseas.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is working closely with veteran organisations, including the Royal British Legion (RBL), to provide travel, welfare and infrastructure support to ensure veterans can attend official events in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is also working with veterans’ charities to support and where necessary fund veterans’ attendance at relevant VE Day and D-Day commemorations overseas. DCMS is working closely with key departments and external partners who will make a significant contribution to the VE and VJ Day 80 commemorations, including the MOD for ceremonial and military assets. Final costs will be confirmed after the event and in due course. The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, an Arm’s Length Body of the MOD, reinforces the nation's Covenant promise to support Armed Forces personnel, their families and veterans. The Trust manages the £10 million annual Armed Forces Covenant Fund on behalf of the MOD and collaborates with the UK Government to deliver strategic and targeted programmes that benefit Armed Forces communities.

Media and Sport, what funding has been allocated by her Department to support the delivery of (a) VE day and (b) VJ day commemorative events (i) in the UK (ii) overseas.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is working closely with veteran organisations, including the Royal British Legion (RBL), to provide travel, welfare and infrastructure support to ensure veterans can attend official events in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is also working with veterans’ charities to support and where necessary fund veterans’ attendance at relevant VE Day and D-Day commemorations overseas. DCMS is working closely with key departments and external partners who will make a significant contribution to the VE and VJ Day 80 commemorations, including the MOD for ceremonial and military assets. Final costs will be confirmed after the event and in due course. The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, an Arm’s Length Body of the MOD, reinforces the nation's Covenant promise to support Armed Forces personnel, their families and veterans. The Trust manages the £10 million annual Armed Forces Covenant Fund on behalf of the MOD and collaborates with the UK Government to deliver strategic and targeted programmes that benefit Armed Forces communities.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that World War Two veterans are able to attend (a) VE day and (b) VJ day commemorative events (i) in the UK (ii) overseas.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is working closely with veteran organisations, including the Royal British Legion (RBL), to provide travel, welfare and infrastructure support to ensure veterans can attend official events in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is also working with veterans’ charities to support and where necessary fund veterans’ attendance at relevant VE Day and D-Day commemorations overseas.

Media and Sport, whether she has held discussions with the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust on funding used to sponsor World War Two veterans attending (a) VE day and (b) VJ day commemorative events (i) in the UK (ii) overseas.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is working closely with veteran organisations, including the Royal British Legion (RBL), to provide travel, welfare and infrastructure support to ensure veterans can attend official events in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is also working with veterans’ charities to support and where necessary fund veterans’ attendance at relevant VE Day and D-Day commemorations overseas. DCMS is working closely with key departments and external partners who will make a significant contribution to the VE and VJ Day 80 commemorations, including the MOD for ceremonial and military assets. Final costs will be confirmed after the event and in due course. The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, an Arm’s Length Body of the MOD, reinforces the nation's Covenant promise to support Armed Forces personnel, their families and veterans. The Trust manages the £10 million annual Armed Forces Covenant Fund on behalf of the MOD and collaborates with the UK Government to deliver strategic and targeted programmes that benefit Armed Forces communities.

Media and Sport, if she will publish an impact assessment of the introduction of the new cap of £25,000 to the Listed Places of Worship Scheme.

We do not have any plans to publish an impact assessment. Based on previous scheme data, we expect 94% of claims to be unaffected by the change.

Media and Sport, what plans she has to implement funding for the Listed Places of Worship Scheme beyond 2026.

Future Government spending is a matter for the 2026 Spending Review.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to continue supporting the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Future Government spending is a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.