Written questions by Andrew.

Media and Sport, whether her Department considers trail hunting to form part of the UK’s rural cultural heritage.

DCMS and each of the Devolved Governments are working to create inventories of living heritage in the UK. The criteria are set out here: https://livingheritage.unesco.org.uk/info/guidance/criteria.

Media and Sport, if she will publish the full findings of any inquiry into the appointment process for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

The Chair of the Independent Football Regulator is appointed through a fair and open competition, run under the Governance Code on Public Appointments.In addition, the preferred Chair appointment is subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. Their report, endorsing the preferred candidate, has been published on their website.We look forward to cooperating fully with the Commissioner’s inquiry. The Commissioner is fully independent and reports of its investigations are published on the Commissioner for Public Appointments website.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has published the full (a) criteria and (b) process for the appointment of the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

The assessment criteria and process for the appointment of the Chair was advertised on the government appointments website.The Chair is appointed through a fair and open competition, run under the publicly available Governance Code on Public Appointments.In addition, the preferred Chair appointment is subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. Their report, endorsing the preferred candidate, has been published on their website.As is standard for all public appointments we would not name organisations or individuals in order to protect the confidentiality of the process.

Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with Glastonbury Festival organisers on the inclusion of Kneecap in the 2025 line-up.

Decisions on which artists perform at events and festivals are a matter for event organisers, who must take into account any legal considerations, and meet the requirements of their license, in consultation with relevant authorities.We unequivocally condemn threatening remarks made towards any individual. Political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society. We recognise the chilling effect that harassment and intimidation of elected representatives can have on our democracy. Support for proscribed organisations is wholly unacceptable, with criminal offences set out in the Terrorism Act 2000.

Media and Sport, whether any Ministers in her Department are planning to attend the 2025 Glastonbury Festival in an official capacity.

No, but thanks for asking.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the (a) independence of, (b) transparency of and (c) public confidence in the inquiry into the appointment of the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

The Chair of the Independent Football Regulator is appointed through a fair and open competition, run under the Governance Code on Public Appointments.In addition, the preferred Chair appointment is subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. Their report, endorsing the preferred candidate, has been published on their website.We look forward to cooperating fully with the Commissioner’s inquiry. The Commissioner is fully independent and reports of its investigations are published on the Commissioner for Public Appointments website.

Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on the security implications of public performances by artists whose past public statements have been the subject of political or public concern.

Decisions on which artists perform at events and festivals are a matter for event organisers, who must take into account any legal considerations, and meet the requirements of their license, in consultation with relevant authorities.We unequivocally condemn threatening remarks made towards any individual. Political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society. We recognise the chilling effect that harassment and intimidation of elected representatives can have on our democracy. Support for proscribed organisations is wholly unacceptable, with criminal offences set out in the Terrorism Act 2000.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Glastonbury Festival including performers whose past public statements have been the subject of concern on public safety and community cohesion.

Decisions on which artists perform at events and festivals are a matter for event organisers, who must take into account any legal considerations, and meet the requirements of their license, in consultation with relevant authorities.We unequivocally condemn threatening remarks made towards any individual. Political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society. We recognise the chilling effect that harassment and intimidation of elected representatives can have on our democracy. Support for proscribed organisations is wholly unacceptable, with criminal offences set out in the Terrorism Act 2000.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the launch of an inquiry into the appointment process for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator on public confidence in the Independent Football Regulator.

The Chair of the Independent Football Regulator is appointed through a fair and open competition, run under the Governance Code on Public Appointments.In addition, the preferred Chair appointment is subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. Their report, endorsing the preferred candidate, has been published on their website.We look forward to cooperating fully with the Commissioner’s inquiry. The Commissioner is fully independent and reports of its investigations are published on the Commissioner for Public Appointments website.

Media and Sport, if she will publish the list of (a) people and (b) organisations consulted during the appointment process for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

The assessment criteria and process for the appointment of the Chair was advertised on the government appointments website.The Chair is appointed through a fair and open competition, run under the publicly available Governance Code on Public Appointments.In addition, the preferred Chair appointment is subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. Their report, endorsing the preferred candidate, has been published on their website.As is standard for all public appointments we would not name organisations or individuals in order to protect the confidentiality of the process.

Media and Sport, whether (a) the Prime Minister and (b) his office had contact with the confirmed candidate (i) prior to and (ii) during the appointment process for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

I am the appointing Minister.The preferred Chair appointment was subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.The Commissioner for Public Appointments is carrying out an inquiry into the campaign to appoint a new Chair of the Independent Football Regulator. The Government is co-operating fully with the Commissioner's office.

Media and Sport, whether the Prime Minister has had discussions with the Commissioner for Public Appointments on the appointment of the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

I am the appointing Minister.The preferred Chair appointment was subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.The Commissioner for Public Appointments is carrying out an inquiry into the campaign to appoint a new Chair of the Independent Football Regulator. The Government is co-operating fully with the Commissioner's office.

Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the effectiveness of proposed exemptions to cooling-off rights within the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 subscription regime for preventing consumers from accessing digital content for free.

My Department regularly engages with the Department for Business and Trade on a range of issues relating to the implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act 2024.The Department for Business and Trade’s consultation on the implementation of these measures closed on 10 February 2025, and they are currently analysing responses.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to her Department's planned budget for the 2025-26 financial year on support for charities.

At the recent Spring Statement, we reiterated the fiscal rules that would guide this Government. The government has taken a number of difficult but necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the foundations of the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability. However, we recognise the vital role that charities play up and down the country, by providing crucial support to different groups and communities. DCMS continues to support charities in several ways. This includes delivery of a number of grant schemes, such as the £25.5 million Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Energy Efficiency Scheme, which is supporting frontline organisations across England to improve their energy efficiency and sustainability. Support for charities is also available through social investment which provides access to grants, repayable finance and a blend of the two. This government is continuing to look at how dormant assets can be used to support the availability of finance to facilitate VCSEs becoming more entrepreneurial and financially resilient. An estimated £350 million will flow into the Dormant Assets Scheme between 2024-28, with details on how this money will be distributed to be provided in due course. Within the tax system, we provide support to charities through a range of reliefs and exemptions, including reliefs for charitable giving. The tax reliefs available to charities are a vital element in supporting charitable causes across the UK, with more than £6 billion in charitable reliefs provided to charities. The biggest individual reliefs provided are Gift Aid at £1.6 billion and business rates relief at nearly £2.4 billion.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to her Department's planned budget for the 2025-26 financial year on listed places of worship.

There have been no changes to the budget for this Scheme for financial year 2025-26 as a result of the Spring Statement. As announced in January, the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has been extended for one year with an overall budget of £23 million, until 31 March 2026.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to her Department's planned budget for the 2025-26 financial year on access to sport for young people.

Access to sport and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health and this Government is committed to ensuring everyone, no matter their age, background or ability, should be able to play sport and be active. The majority of grassroots sport funding is provided by our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, that will invest in excess of £250 million of exchequer and lottery funding through 2025/26.We are also supporting more people in getting active wherever they live through continuation of the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme. On 21 March the Government announced £100 million funding to be delivered through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme during 2025/26, supporting high-quality, inclusive facilities across the UK.The Government puts children and young people at the heart of our priorities. This includes breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child to access high-quality sport and physical activity, especially those who are less likely to be active. We have committed to protecting time for physical education and supporting the role grassroots clubs play in expanding access to sport. The expert-led review of the school curriculum will ensure that all children can engage with a broad range of subjects, including PE and sport.Sport England is also committed to increasing participation in sport and physical activity for disabled people and improving their access to sport facilities. Sport England runs specific initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign, impacting directly on disabled people, and those with a long-term health condition. Sport England also has partnerships with organisations such as Disability Rights UK, Activity Alliance, Aspire, and Sense, to help more disabled people get active.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to her Department's planned budget for the 2025-26 financial year on the National Youth Strategy.

This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we remain committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential. That is why we are developing a National Youth Strategy to set out a new vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this.In 2025/26, has committed to funding over £85 million of capital funding to create fit-for-purpose spaces in places where it is most needed, which includes £26 million for youth clubs to buy new equipment and do renovations under the Better Youth Spaces Fund. We will be launching the Local Youth Transformation pilot this year, which will support local authorities to build back capability to improve local youth offers. Further funding allocations for specific youth programmes will be set out in due course.We will publish the Strategy this summer, following the Spending Review.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to her Department's planned budget for the 2025-26 financial year on support for the creative industries.

DCMS’ budget for the 2025-26 financial year was confirmed by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget 2024, not at the Spring Statement.The creative industries are one of the government’s eight priority Industrial Strategy sectors. At the Creative Industries Growth Summit in January, we announced a £60 million package of support for the sector, providing a major boost to the wider economy. We also set out new commitments from the British Business Bank, the UK’s economic development bank, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in January to strengthen their support for the creative industries, in addition to making shorter apprenticeships available from August 2025, building towards a more flexible growth and skills levy. These first steps in delivering on our ambitions for the creative industries will be expanded upon with the publication of the Sector Plan.The government recognises the importance of cinemas as part of the UK’s film industry and as community assets. 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.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to her Department's planned budget for the 2025-26 financial year on support for independent cinemas.

DCMS’ budget for the 2025-26 financial year was confirmed by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget 2024, not at the Spring Statement.The creative industries are one of the government’s eight priority Industrial Strategy sectors. At the Creative Industries Growth Summit in January, we announced a £60 million package of support for the sector, providing a major boost to the wider economy. We also set out new commitments from the British Business Bank, the UK’s economic development bank, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in January to strengthen their support for the creative industries, in addition to making shorter apprenticeships available from August 2025, building towards a more flexible growth and skills levy. These first steps in delivering on our ambitions for the creative industries will be expanded upon with the publication of the Sector Plan.The government recognises the importance of cinemas as part of the UK’s film industry and as community assets. 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.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to her Department's planned budget for the 2025-26 financial year on access to sport.

Access to sport and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health and this Government is committed to ensuring everyone, no matter their age, background or ability, should be able to play sport and be active. The majority of grassroots sport funding is provided by our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, that will invest in excess of £250 million of exchequer and lottery funding through 2025/26.We are also supporting more people in getting active wherever they live through continuation of the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme. On 21 March the Government announced £100 million funding to be delivered through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme during 2025/26, supporting high-quality, inclusive facilities across the UK.The Government puts children and young people at the heart of our priorities. This includes breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child to access high-quality sport and physical activity, especially those who are less likely to be active. We have committed to protecting time for physical education and supporting the role grassroots clubs play in expanding access to sport. The expert-led review of the school curriculum will ensure that all children can engage with a broad range of subjects, including PE and sport.Sport England is also committed to increasing participation in sport and physical activity for disabled people and improving their access to sport facilities. Sport England runs specific initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign, impacting directly on disabled people, and those with a long-term health condition. Sport England also has partnerships with organisations such as Disability Rights UK, Activity Alliance, Aspire, and Sense, to help more disabled people get active.