Written questions by Pritchard.

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with the BBC on allowing licence fee payers to access the BBC app when overseas.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) meets regularly with representatives of the BBC on a range of matters.The BBC is operationally independent, and decisions on whether and how the BBC makes its content and services, such as its respective BBC apps, available to licence fee payers when abroad are therefore for the BBC to make independent of government.

Media and Sport, if she will review the decision taken earlier this year not to award funding to the Wellington Orbit from the Creative Foundations Fund.

The Creative Foundation Fund, announced in 2025 as part of the Arts Everywhere Fund, is being delivered by Arts Council England. The Arts Council makes decisions about which organisations and projects to fund independently of government and Ministers, which means there is no question of any political involvement in arts funding decisions. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for Ministers to ask Arts Council England to revisit their decision on the application made by Wellington Orbit. Demand for this fund in its first round was extremely high, with a large number of applicants demonstrating the ability to meet the programme aims. As a result, the Arts Council had to make very difficult decisions about which applicants to invite to the full application stage. This was to ensure that applicants did not spend time and resources completing an application with very limited chance of success in that round. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has recently announced a new round of the Arts Everywhere Fund, including up to £340 million of new funding for the Creative Foundations Fund, which will be invested from 2026/27 up to and including 2029/30. Wellington Orbit may wish to submit an application. Arts Council England will announce further details regarding the application process and eligibility criteria in due course.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with online game producers on enabling parents or carers to block marketing of in-app purchases to children while playing online games.

The Government is committed to ensuring that video games are enjoyed safely and responsibly by everyone, particularly children, and that where they contain in-app purchases, guidance is followed so that consumers of all ages can play with confidence. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) are responsible for setting and enforcing the UK Advertising Codes and are independent of the government. CAP codifies standards for non-broadcast advertising, which includes online and in-game advertisements, as part of its UK Non-Broadcast Advertising Code (‘CAP Code’). In September 2021, CAP consulted on, and published, specific guidance on in-game purchases, which covers types of in-game storefronts, platforms for purchasing games, and broader advertising for the games themselves. The guidance was subsequently reviewed and updated in May 2024. This guidance reiterates that, where an ad is directed at children, there should be no direct exhortation to purchase or ask a parent or guardian to purchase.

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with Creative England on the potential merits of producing (a) television programmes and (b) films in Shropshire.

The Government is committed to spreading the benefits of our world-leading film and TV sector across the country. The Creative Industries Sector Plan, published in June 2025, announced a £75 million Screen Growth Package, which includes dedicated funding for Production Support Services across England's regions outside London. As part of this initiative, DCMS and BFI are revising the approach to production service support, including support currently delivered through Filming in England. Filming in England, part of Creative UK, is currently funded by BFI National Lottery funds to provide advocacy and assistance to emerging hubs such as Shropshire. DCMS ministers and officials meet regularly with Creative UK to discuss a wide range of issues, including support for the film and TV sector across England. Our scaled-up production support will provide nationally coordinated assistance to film and television productions, regional film offices and local authorities, ensuring areas like Shropshire have the resources to grow their production capacity.

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with Historic Royal Palaces on discounted tickets for UK nationals.

The Secretary of State has delegated management of historic unoccupied royal palaces to Historic Royal Palaces (HRP). DCMS officials meet regularly with HRP to discuss its engagement strategy and other operational matters. However, as an independent charity and in accordance with the 1998 Royal Charter, HRP can generate its own income and set its own ticket prices. HRP currently offers a range of discounted tickets such as;Disabled concession and carer tickets - HRP offers discounted tickets for visitors with a disability and a free ticket for an accompanying carer or companion.Student and senior discounts - HRP offers concession tickets for full time students (aged 18+) and seniors ages (65+).Young person and child tickets - HRP has a tiered pricing structure for younger visitors.Group discounts - HRP offers discounts for pre-booked groups of 15 or more people.Discounts for local residents - HRP offers residents of Tower Hamlets borough tickets for £1Discount for benefit recipients - HRP offers £1 tickets to its Palaces H for those in receipt of Universal Credit and other named benefits

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with Historic Royal Palaces on improving the (a) visibility and (b) marketing of categories of discounted tickets.

Accessibility is a key priority for the Secretary of State, and we are committed to ensuring access for everyone, no matter their background or where they come from. Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) has a range of programmes designed to drive accessibility of the collection. One of their notable schemes is the £1 ticket programme, which allows individuals receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, to purchase up to six tickets for £1 each per household. Last year, this initiative sold 218,000 tickets. HRP markets its schemes in several ways. Information is available on its website, at ticket offices on site, and through direct communication with community groups, charities, and organisations that support those in receipt of benefits.DCMS officials meet regularly with HRP to discuss its engagement strategy and other operational matters. As an independent charity, HRP can implement its own marketing plans.

Media and Sport, if she will take steps to introduce (a) identity checks and (b) spending limits for crypto betting.

There are currently no licensed gambling operators in Great Britain which allow payment using cryptocurrencies. If an operator wished to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment, they would have to satisfy themselves and the Gambling Commission, the regulator for gambling in Great Britain, that they could meet their obligations regarding anti-money laundering before they notify the Gambling Commission of a change to their payment arrangements or obtain a licence. Should a licenced operator accept cryptocurrency payments they would be subject to social responsibility arrangements, like any other operator, these include having robust identity checks, providing tools for customers to set financial limits, and conducting financial risk checks for the most vulnerable customers.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with Ofcom on encouraging competition in broadcast news media.

The Department regularly engages with Ofcom on a range of issues including the importance of a competitive and diverse broadcasting sector. Ofcom has a statutory duty under the Communication Act 2003 to secure and maintain a sufficient plurality of providers of different TV and radio services. Ofcom also has a duty to review the operation of media ownership rules across TV, radio and press every three years. Ofcom published their latest review on 15 November 2024.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with media production companies on producing more content to promote positive male role models.

The Government recognises the important positive contribution made by our creative industries, including our public service broadcasters, in informing, educating, and entertaining audiences. However, editorial decisions are ultimately a matter for individual production companies.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the BBC on ensuring that the programmes it commissions reflect the views of people from across the UK.

As a public service broadcaster that matters hugely to public life, the BBC must be responsive to viewers and listeners and tell inclusive stories about the lives of all people, in all parts of the UK. Under the current Charter, the BBC has an obligation to ‘reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the United Kingdom’s nations and regions’. The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of the Government in determining how it meets that obligation, and it is for the independent regulator Ofcom to hold the BBC to account.As part of the next Charter Review, the Government will engage with the BBC and others to consider how to ensure the BBC thrives well into the next decade and beyond. This will include discussions on a range of important issues and will start a national conversation to make sure the BBC truly represents and delivers for every person in this country

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of the Broadcasting Code by Ofcom on reducing the sexualisation of children through broadcast advertising.

The Advertising Standards Authority co-regulates broadcast advertising under contract with Ofcom and its sister organisation, the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), sets the advertising codes. The codes require that advertisements must not portray or represent anyone who is, or seems to be, under 18 in a sexual way and care must be taken when scheduling advertisements in or around children's programmes or programmes likely to be seen by significant numbers of children.The Broadcast Advertising Code has a dedicated section on protecting children, with rules designed to ensure that adverts do not contain anything that is likely to cause children physical, mental or moral harm, and the ASA administers these rules robustly. All broadcast advertising is pre-approved to ensure it is compliant with the BCAP Code before it is aired, through a system known as Clearcast. Clearcast has well established processes to ensure advertising content is thoroughly checked before it appears on television and puts restrictions in place when necessary.

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with the Games Rating Authority on the classification of video games; and if she will take steps to reduce the sexualisation of children in video games.

The GRA’s decisions are made independently of the government, which is important to ensure impartiality. The GRA’s age ratings serve to protect the public and empower people to make informed gaming choices, whilst also recognising and respecting adult freedom of choice within the law. The GRA regularly conducts UK research on aspects of the international PEGI classification criteria for video games.In most cases, the GRA is able to address issues of potential harm by awarding an appropriate age rating or suggesting changes to a developer’s content to make the game acceptable. However, where this is not possible, a classification may be refused.Even if material is not in breach of a specific UK law, the GRA may also refuse to classify content,on harm grounds, when content contains:● Material that promotes criminal activity, including drugs;● Material that is illegal or has been created by the commission of a criminal offence;● Portrayals of children in a sexualised or abusive context;● Material which makes rape, or other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour, orsadistic violence look appealing.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the (a) Home Office and (b) Football Association on the potential merits of introducing lifetime club bans for people convicted of threats of violence against (i) referees, (ii) players and (iii) family members of referees and players.

Violence has no place in football. As private businesses, football clubs have a right to ban individual supporters from attending matches or accessing club facilities; a power rooted in their responsibility to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all fans. These bans are a decision to be taken at club-level.Convictions may also result in football banning orders (FBOs) which are a court decision to prevent violence or disorder at, or in connection with, regulated football matches. An individual with a banning order is prevented from attending all regulated matches in the UK and can be required to surrender their passport to police before overseas matches and tournaments.FBOs can be imposed following a conviction for a football-related offence as set out in Schedule 1 of the Football Spectators Act 1989 (which includes offences involving the use or threat of violence), or on application from the police or CPS.

Media and Sport, if she will discuss with the British Board of Film Classification the classification of (a) films and (b) video games; and if she will take steps to reduce the sexualisation of children through those media.

The classification system has addressed these issues under successive governments, but decisions regarding the classification of films are made by the BBFC and the Games Rating Authority, not the BBFC, is responsible for the classification of video games. The BBFC’s decisions are made independently of the government, which is important to ensure impartiality. The BBFC’s age ratings serve to protect the public and empower people to make informed viewing choices, whilst also recognising and respecting adult freedom of choice within the law.The standards underpinning the BBFC’s ratings are set out in their published Classification Guidelines, and are based on consultations every 4-5 years with experts and thousands of members of the public.If the BBFC finds that a film raises issues or concerns that cannot be addressed through their classification system, they may require compulsory cuts or other changes as a condition of classification.

Media and Sport, if she will discuss with Ofcom potential steps to reduce the sexualisation of children in television (a) advertisements and (b) programmes.

Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code includes rules intended to protect the welfare and the dignity of people under eighteen who take part or are otherwise involved in programmes. Revisions to the Code are a matter for Ofcom as the independent regulator.The Advertising Standards Authority co-regulates broadcast advertising under contract with Ofcom and its sister organisation, the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice, sets the advertising codes. The codes require that advertisements must not portray or represent children in a sexual way and care must be taken when scheduling advertisements in or around children's programmes or programmes likely to be seen by significant numbers of children.

Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to provide support to (a) Hereford and (b) Lichfield Cathedral.

Since August 2022, Lichfield Cathedral has received £161,242 through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, and Hereford Cathedral has received £27,639.The National Lottery Heritage Fund has also supported both of these Cathedrals. Lichfield Cathedral has received £1,707,762 since 1996.Hereford Cathedral has received £6,135,300 since 2003.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on extending the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Departmental settlements have been set by The Treasury following the Budget announcement on October 30. Individual programmes will now be assessed during the departmental Business Planning process.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to increase access to (a) covered and (b) indoor community tennis courts.

The Government is committed to doing more to ensure that everyone from all backgrounds have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. Sport and physical activity is central to achieving our health and opportunity manifesto missions, with the biggest gains coming from supporting those who are inactive to move more.The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport and to boost diversity at a grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all.Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis in Britain, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis initiatives that will benefit everyone.