Speeches by Nandy.

“No options are off the table, both in terms of the BBC’s operational structure and funding models. I know that this Committee did some work a few years ago looking at different funding models, and concluded that there were downsides to every one of them. We are not in the business of reform for reform’s sake, but in th…”

“I did say imminently. “Imminently” does a lot of heavy lifting in the Government. I don’t know if there is anything more that we can say about the timing.”

“Lovely. Thank you.”

“I would very much welcome the input of this Committee into that conversation about the sustainability of BBC funding, about the operation of the BBC, about the way in which it doesn’t just commission from outside of London but it moves power outside of London as well so that the people who are deciding what story is to…”

“We think that the BBC is incredibly important. It plays a unique role in British life. The Prime Minister and I are both strong supporters of the concept of the BBC. This Committee did a report back in 2015, which found that the licence fee model wasn’t delivering the sustained and stable funding that the BBC needs in …”

“Certainly, we are not going to delay this, James. I would love to give you an early Christmas present. I cannot give you a date at the moment. I will definitely update the Committee. What we tend to do is update the Committee in advance of major announcements, so we will make sure in this case that we do that. To reass…”

“Yes, we are very alive to that. Of course, it is my job to make sure that the voice of the creative industries is not just heard but acted upon in Government. I would say to you that as a new Government we do genuinely like each other and we pick up the phone to one another and we talk about these issues a lot. Peter K…”

“I will mention that.”

“For the very simple reason that we wanted to pause and reflect on whether that would address some of the issues that you just talked about, Jo. As I said earlier, I have been very concerned about the way in which arts and culture has become something that is often only accessible to young people whose parents can pay, …”

“There is a natural cut-off around the next round of national portfolio organisations that will take place.”

“Just give me the dates on that.”

“Yes, so next year, basically, we need to conclude this review. We will kick it off shortly and we will need to conclude it by the end of next year, I think is probably right to say. If that changes, I will let you know.”

“I think that is absolutely right. It is interesting to hear you say that, given the Arts Council is based in Manchester, which is pretty much a stone’s throw from Leigh. If smaller organisations in Leigh do not know that that support and funding exists, then we do have a problem. It is something that I will take away a…”

“There are a few things that we are looking at. The Education Secretary has initiated the curriculum review, which as part of its aims puts sport, arts, culture and creativity back at the heart of the curriculum. We are just working with Professor Francis at the moment to consider how best to do this. Our Department is …”

“The first thing to say is that we want to be incredibly transparent about how we go about this. They will have the opportunity to input into the ACE review so that by the end of it our intention is that they will see their voices and their priorities reflected in what comes out the other side of that review, whatever r…”

“Yes, very much so. We are working closely across Government. One of the benefits of mission-led government is that it does bring us together to work on shared priorities. To go back to one of the questions that the Chair asked about operating in a very difficult funding environment, through the next spending review pro…”

“I don’t think that there is any challenge for disadvantaged communities wanting to engage in community sports. The issue is often the lack of facilities. We have made that an absolute priority for the Department. I announced a continuation of funding beyond what had already been allocated after the Euros. We are determ…”

“Yes.”

“It is an ecosystem and you will know from the example of Keely Hodgkinson that you have to invest at grassroots level in order for great athletes to be able to come through. Then you have to invest to make sure that they can continue to progress without financial hardship and then to make sure that we can retain our me…”

“Definitely, and Health as well. Wes Streeting is on the education mission board and the opportunity mission board. We have already committed that as part of the curriculum review, we will protect time for PE in schools. Like you say, it is often to do with the level of input that those young people get in schools as we…”