Written questions by Platt.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that grassroots artists and cultural organisations in post-industrial towns can access funding streams to support creative economy growth.

Awaiting answer.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of neurodivergent workers on the creative industries; and what steps she is taking to improve data collection, access, progression and workplace support for those workers.

Awaiting answer.

Media and Sport, what progress she has made on developing a national Cultural Infrastructure Map; and whether it will identify (a) areas of under-provision and (b) existing cultural assets.

Awaiting answer.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of consulting on sub‑quotas within future investment obligations to ensure a defined proportion of streamer spend is directed to independent UK producers.

The UK’s independent production sector plays a vital role in our world-leading creative economy. We recognise that the current market is challenging for many independent producers, which is why we are providing support though a generous 53% tax credit for independent production; through scaling up the UK Global Screen Fund from £7 million to £18 million a year so it can better support independent production, distribution and business development; and through a £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund for six priority areas to support their creative industries, for example by boosting their local screen ecologies.Our Creative Industries Sector Plan also commits to removing barriers to growth by supporting better access to finance, including through increased support from public finance institutions such as the British Business Bank to increase the pool of debt and equity finance available to the creative industries, with a specific focus on IP-backed lending.We want our film and TV sector to remain vibrant and dynamic, where production companies of all sizes can create, collaborate and invest in the UK. We have been clear that we do not believe that introducing levies or investment obligations on streamers is the right way to achieve this. We will however continue to engage with major streaming services, with the independent production sector and with Public Service Broadcasters on how best to ensure mutually beneficial conditions for all parties.

Media and Sport, if her Department will take steps to support rights retention for independent producers in negotiations with global streaming platforms.

The UK’s independent production sector plays a vital role in our world-leading creative economy. We recognise that the current market is challenging for many independent producers, which is why we are providing support though a generous 53% tax credit for independent production; through scaling up the UK Global Screen Fund from £7 million to £18 million a year so it can better support independent production, distribution and business development; and through a £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund for six priority areas to support their creative industries, for example by boosting their local screen ecologies.Our Creative Industries Sector Plan also commits to removing barriers to growth by supporting better access to finance, including through increased support from public finance institutions such as the British Business Bank to increase the pool of debt and equity finance available to the creative industries, with a specific focus on IP-backed lending.We want our film and TV sector to remain vibrant and dynamic, where production companies of all sizes can create, collaborate and invest in the UK. We have been clear that we do not believe that introducing levies or investment obligations on streamers is the right way to achieve this. We will however continue to engage with major streaming services, with the independent production sector and with Public Service Broadcasters on how best to ensure mutually beneficial conditions for all parties.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has considered the potential merits of providing support for independent producers impacted by inflation in talent, locations and IP acquisition.

The UK’s independent production sector plays a vital role in our world-leading creative economy. We recognise that the current market is challenging for many independent producers, which is why we are providing support though a generous 53% tax credit for independent production; through scaling up the UK Global Screen Fund from £7 million to £18 million a year so it can better support independent production, distribution and business development; and through a £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund for six priority areas to support their creative industries, for example by boosting their local screen ecologies.Our Creative Industries Sector Plan also commits to removing barriers to growth by supporting better access to finance, including through increased support from public finance institutions such as the British Business Bank to increase the pool of debt and equity finance available to the creative industries, with a specific focus on IP-backed lending.We want our film and TV sector to remain vibrant and dynamic, where production companies of all sizes can create, collaborate and invest in the UK. We have been clear that we do not believe that introducing levies or investment obligations on streamers is the right way to achieve this. We will however continue to engage with major streaming services, with the independent production sector and with Public Service Broadcasters on how best to ensure mutually beneficial conditions for all parties.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the continued inclusion of UK (a) film and (b) television content within the definition of European works in the forthcoming revision of the EU’s Audio-visual Media Services Directive.

As the UK is no longer an EU Member State, it is not formally involved in the review of the EU’s Audiovisual & Media Services Directive. However, the Government routinely engages with European partners (EU institutions, EU Member States and non-EU countries) – for example, through DCMS Minister of State Ian Murray’s attendance at an EU Informal Council in Copenhagen of culture and media ministers on 3 and 4 November. It is clear from this engagement that there is a solid understanding in Europe of the valuable contribution that the UK makes to the European audiovisual ecosystem and the benefits of working together. Through this engagement, we collaborate with our partners on shared policy challenges, celebrate our cultural diversity, drive growth in our respective sectors, and make the case for continued European works status for UK content.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help increase the number of companies making charitable donations.

Corporations donate around £4 billion per year to charity. This Government has three priorities for philanthropy, to: connect philanthropic investment with the places that need it most; unlock extra philanthropic investment; and partner with civil society, communities, donors and businesses to celebrate a culture of giving. This includes championing existing reliefs and ways to donate, with Government granting around £1 billion a year in tax relief for companies' donations.

Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to take steps to help encourage companies to give more to charity.

Corporations donate around £4 billion per year to charity. This Government has three priorities for philanthropy, to: connect philanthropic investment with the places that need it most; unlock extra philanthropic investment; and partner with civil society, communities, donors and businesses to celebrate a culture of giving. This includes championing existing reliefs and ways to donate, with Government granting around £1 billion a year in tax relief for companies' donations.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an estimate of the potential impact of banning the charging commission on Gift Aid on revenues to charities.

Fundraising platforms are commercial organisations that provide an important service to charities and donors. Many charities ask online fundraising platforms to claim Gift Aid on donations made on their platform for the charity, and pay a fee for this service to be provided because it is cost effective and efficient to do so. No estimate has been made at this time on the potential impact of banning the charging commission on Gift Aid on revenues to charities.Most platforms are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, which is the independent, non-statutory regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Fundraising Regulator’s new Code of Fundraising Practice, which will come into force on 1 November 2025, includes requirements for fundraising platforms to include information for donors about how fees, including any voluntary tips, are calculated. The Fundraising Regulator will engage with fundraising platforms to ensure they are clear on the new transparency requirements for fees and tipping sliders before the new Code comes into effect.DCMS does not hold information centrally about breaches of the Code of Fundraising Practice. The below information was provided by the Fundraising Regulator.The Fundraising Regulator issued guidance for fundraising platforms on 17 February 2023.To date since the guidance was published, the Regulator has closed a total of 20 cases where there were complaints about a "tip" being taken by a platform. None involved a breach of the Code because information about fees, including the tip, was provided even if it could have been clearer or made easier for donors to choose not to tip. In the same period, there were seven complaints relating to Gift Aid but none were about commissions, fees or tips on fundraising platforms so there was no breach of the Code.DCMS will continue working with the Fundraising Regulator, charities, and online giving platforms to support best practice across all forms of charitable fundraising.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure compliance with the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice on the transparency of fees on fundraising platforms.

Fundraising platforms are commercial organisations that provide an important service to charities and donors. Many charities ask online fundraising platforms to claim Gift Aid on donations made on their platform for the charity, and pay a fee for this service to be provided because it is cost effective and efficient to do so. No estimate has been made at this time on the potential impact of banning the charging commission on Gift Aid on revenues to charities.Most platforms are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, which is the independent, non-statutory regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Fundraising Regulator’s new Code of Fundraising Practice, which will come into force on 1 November 2025, includes requirements for fundraising platforms to include information for donors about how fees, including any voluntary tips, are calculated. The Fundraising Regulator will engage with fundraising platforms to ensure they are clear on the new transparency requirements for fees and tipping sliders before the new Code comes into effect.DCMS does not hold information centrally about breaches of the Code of Fundraising Practice. The below information was provided by the Fundraising Regulator.The Fundraising Regulator issued guidance for fundraising platforms on 17 February 2023.To date since the guidance was published, the Regulator has closed a total of 20 cases where there were complaints about a "tip" being taken by a platform. None involved a breach of the Code because information about fees, including the tip, was provided even if it could have been clearer or made easier for donors to choose not to tip. In the same period, there were seven complaints relating to Gift Aid but none were about commissions, fees or tips on fundraising platforms so there was no breach of the Code.DCMS will continue working with the Fundraising Regulator, charities, and online giving platforms to support best practice across all forms of charitable fundraising.

Media and Sport, what information her Department holds on the number of times the guidance set out in the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice on (a) fee transparency on charging commission on Gift Aid and (b) giving equal prominence to a zero fee or tip option has been breached in each of the last three years.

Fundraising platforms are commercial organisations that provide an important service to charities and donors. Many charities ask online fundraising platforms to claim Gift Aid on donations made on their platform for the charity, and pay a fee for this service to be provided because it is cost effective and efficient to do so. No estimate has been made at this time on the potential impact of banning the charging commission on Gift Aid on revenues to charities.Most platforms are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, which is the independent, non-statutory regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Fundraising Regulator’s new Code of Fundraising Practice, which will come into force on 1 November 2025, includes requirements for fundraising platforms to include information for donors about how fees, including any voluntary tips, are calculated. The Fundraising Regulator will engage with fundraising platforms to ensure they are clear on the new transparency requirements for fees and tipping sliders before the new Code comes into effect.DCMS does not hold information centrally about breaches of the Code of Fundraising Practice. The below information was provided by the Fundraising Regulator.The Fundraising Regulator issued guidance for fundraising platforms on 17 February 2023.To date since the guidance was published, the Regulator has closed a total of 20 cases where there were complaints about a "tip" being taken by a platform. None involved a breach of the Code because information about fees, including the tip, was provided even if it could have been clearer or made easier for donors to choose not to tip. In the same period, there were seven complaints relating to Gift Aid but none were about commissions, fees or tips on fundraising platforms so there was no breach of the Code.DCMS will continue working with the Fundraising Regulator, charities, and online giving platforms to support best practice across all forms of charitable fundraising.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support independent cinemas to access funding for (a) infrastructure and (b) urgent works.

The government recognises the importance of cinemas as part of the UK’s film industry and as community assets, and we continue to work closely with the British Film Institute (BFI) and the cinema sector. The Government’s tax incentives, including the new Independent Film Tax Credit, are bolstering the slate of films available to be shown in British cinemas. The BFI’s Film Audience Network (BFI FAN) is a collaboration of 8 film hubs, managed by leading film organisations and venues around the UK which provides support to cinemas on a local level. Film hubs are centres of expertise and support that connect cinemas, festivals and creative practitioners. Further information on BFI FAN can be found at: https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-uk-audience.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support deaf athlete swimmers with (a) training, (b) funding and (c) accessing equal opportunities

The Government is dedicated to making sport in this country accessible and inclusive for everyone, including d/Deaf people.Our arm's length body, Sport England, has committed £1.2 million between 2022 and 2027 to support deaf sport at the grassroots level, build wider participation, and develop strong governance within UK Deaf Sport. Sport England are also exploring a series of small-scale talent pilots for d/Deaf athletes. These pilots will see Sport England, National Governing Bodies, and UK Deaf Sport working together to explore these issues and suggest potential solutions.We also recognise the importance of ensuring access to leisure and swimming facilities. Sport England provides support for community facilities, including £250 million National Lottery and Exchequer funding each year. Sport England provides long term investment to Swim England, the National Governing Body for swimming in England, which receives up to £10.5 million for five years to invest in community swimming initiatives that will benefit everyone.

Media and Sport, how (a) the Local News Commission and (b) other similar organisations will be able to contribute to the development of her planned local media strategy.

We have been working across Government as the Local Media Strategy develops and are also engaging with key external stakeholders, from industry, academia, civil society and local government. Officials have already met with the Public Interest News Foundation, founders of the Local News Commission, as part of that engagement. Our work is also being informed by the range of studies conducted into the state of local journalism in the UK in recent years. With this in mind, we look forward to publication of the Local News Commission’s report and any new insights or recommendations that the Commission is able to offer.