Written questions by Andrew.

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.

Whether the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team provided advice in relation to the appointment of the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

As has been the case under successive administrations, it is a long-standing principle that Civil Service advice is given and treated in confidence.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 (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.

Whether the Commissioner for Public Appointments was consulted on the appointment of the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator; and whether the Commissioner raised any concerns on the process.

The Commissioner 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.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to recuse himself from decisions relating to the appointment of the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

The appointing Minister is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth.

Whether the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team provided advice to the Prime Minister on (a) political donations made by candidates for and (b) other aspects of his role in the appointment of the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

As has been the case under successive administrations, it is a long-standing principle that Civil Service advice is given and treated in confidence.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.

Whether his Department had a role in (a) reviewing and (b) overseeing the appointment process for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

As has been the case under successive administrations, it is a long-standing principle that Civil Service advice is given and treated in confidence.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.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the retrospective impact of the implementation of Sections (a) 58, (b) 59 and (c) 61-64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 and if he will list the limited retrospective effects identified by his Department.

The principle of collective responsibility requires that the privacy of ministerial discussions at cabinet and its committees be maintained. It is a long standing precedent that details of these proceedings are not disclosed publicly.Sections 58 and 59 introduced limited retrospective rights to upgrade and share apparatus situated under land in specific circumstances. Sections 61 – 64 may have limited retrospective effect once in force: potentially affecting the terms on which affected agreements are renewed on expiry, but not directly altering the terms of any existing agreements. A consultation on draft regulations to commence sections 61-64 is open until 2 July.

If she will hold discussions with (a) educators, (b) other practitioners and (c) school leaders on the development of physical education infrastructure in schools.

This government is committed to securing the infrastructure needed to protect time for physical education in schools and to support the role grassroots clubs play in expanding access to sport.The department will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including teachers, school leaders and sports organisations on how to achieve these manifesto commitments.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the finding from The University of Manchester article entitled Transforming children and young people’s futures through PE, school sport, and physical activity, published in February 2025, that 43% of pupils spend over four hours daily on screens.

The government is committed to breaking down the barriers to accessing sport and physical activity for children and young people, including girls. Our manifesto set out our intention to support more children to be active by protecting time for physical education in schools and working across government to support the role grassroots clubs play in expanding access to sport and physical activity. The department acknowledges that there is a potential opportunity cost where excessive screen time displaces positive activities for children, including exercise. Across departments, the government is also considering the recommendations of the previous Education Committee’s report ‘Screen Time: Impacts on education and wellbeing’. In November 2024, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology announced a feasibility study on methods and data to understand the impact of smartphones and social media on children. The study, being conducted by the University of Cambridge and a wider consortium of experts from a range of universities, began on 2 December 2024 and will run for six months, until May 2025.

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 access to sport for disabled 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 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.

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 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 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 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 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.