Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Evans this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–26 of 26 · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of Universal Studios’ proposed theme park to be situated in Bedfordshire.
DCMS supports NBCUniversal’s proposal to invest in Bedfordshire. A world-class, large-scale resort and theme park has the potential to transform the area, drive growth, create thousands of jobs and boost UK tourism.The details of conversations between private investors and the Government are confidential.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support local journalism.
The Culture Secretary has announced our intention to develop a local media strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector and with a view to helping ensure it can continue to tell the stories that matter in communities. We are working across Government as we develop this strategy and see how we can improve local communities’ access to news.
Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential impact of proposals for the regulation of short-term lets on the tourism industry.
Short-term lets are integral to our visitor economy and we know they bring a range of benefits to the UK on a national and local scale. We believe that communities in tourism hot spots need to be able to benefit from a thriving tourism sector, but they also must be able to access genuinely affordable housing to rent or buy in their local area. DCMS and MHCLG continue to discuss their respective policies to ensure a joined up approach that looks at the short-term lets sector as a whole. DCMS will be examining the impact of the registration scheme for short-term lets on the sector through an impact assessment and will update in due course.
Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the BBC board on their work to maintain professional standards within the BBC.
The BBC is operationally and editorially independent, but the Secretary of State has sought assurance that the BBC has robust processes in place regarding non-editorial complaints so that it acts at pace and is transparent with the public at the earliest opportunity to ensure trust is maintained.
Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of its proposals to introduce a visitor levy scheme on the number of tourists visiting Wales.
None. Responsibility for a visitor levy scheme in Wales is reserved to the Welsh Government, but DCMS and Visit Britain will of course engage with the Welsh Government as the proposals develop.
Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the Asserson report into the BBC, published in September 2024.
The BBC has a duty, outlined in its Charter, to provide accurate and impartial news and information. That is particularly important when it comes to coverage of highly sensitive issues such as the conflict in Gaza. However, the BBC is independent from the Government and its editorial decisions are rightly not something for the Government to interfere with.Responsibility for ensuring the BBC fulfils its obligations to audiences as outlined in its Charter falls with Ofcom, the independent regulator.