Written questions by Andrew.

Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential impact of the subscriptions regime in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 on the level of investment in the video on-demand sector.

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, whether she is taking steps with Ofcom on implementing fair terms of carriage for public service broadcasters on streaming platforms under the Media Act 2024.

My Department is working closely with Ofcom to progress implementation of the Media Act 2024. The Act delegates certain powers to the Secretary of State and to Ofcom in terms of designating ‘in-scope’ services and developing relevant guidance.The new online prominence regime, under the Act, seeks to support effective negotiations between public service broadcasters and TV platforms for the carriage of designated PSB services (referred to in the Act as “internet programme services”). It does so via a set of “agreement objectives” which both parties must act consistently with, as well as Ofcom guidance, which they are required to consult on.Further information on Media Act implementation can be found on Ofcom’s website: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/Media-Act-Implementation/.

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 provision of youth services.

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. Further funding allocations for specific youth programmes will be set out in due course.

Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with Ofcom on the implementation of the Media Act 2024.

My Department is working closely with Ofcom to progress implementation of the Media Act 2024. The Act delegates certain powers to the Secretary of State and to Ofcom in terms of designating ‘in-scope’ services and developing relevant guidance.The new online prominence regime, under the Act, seeks to support effective negotiations between public service broadcasters and TV platforms for the carriage of designated PSB services (referred to in the Act as “internet programme services”). It does so via a set of “agreement objectives” which both parties must act consistently with, as well as Ofcom guidance, which they are required to consult on.Further information on Media Act implementation can be found on Ofcom’s website: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/Media-Act-Implementation/.

If she will make an estimate of the number of mobile infrastructure litigation cases that have been processed via the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber following changes to the Electronic Communications Code 2017; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact on caseloads of changes to be introduced via the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.

The information relating to the number of mobile infrastructure litigation cases that have been processed via the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) is not centrally recorded and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. We continue to monitor and review demand and work closely with the judiciary and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in respect of the impact of caseloads under the Product Security and telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Government response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system consultation, last updated on 27 February 2025, whether she plans to provide local authorities with powers to charge a fee for Listed Building Consent planning applications.

Planning fees in England are set by the Secretary of State. Local planning authorities cannot charge a fee for listed building consent applications.Under the government’s proposals for localised fee setting in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, government may continue to prescribe where a fee should not be charged for a particular type of application.The government intends to consult on the details of localised fee setting later this year.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Local Government Finance on 24 February 2025, HCWS461, whether her Department plans to take steps to prevent local authorities from disposing of community and heritage assets.

The government is clear that public ownership of locally significant assets should be protected to ensure residents can continue to benefit from them. In February, government set out an expectation to councils in receipt of Exceptional Financial Support that, where a council is considering funding this support through asset sales, they should avoid the disposal of community heritage assets where possible. It is for a local authority to ensure they satisfy this expectation in the context of their overall financial position.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposals on cooling-off rights in the consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime, published on 18 November 2024, on (a) the heritage sector and (b) visitor attractions.

The Consultation on the implementation of the new subscriptions contract regime closed on 10 February 2025. We are analysing the responses, including submissions from the heritage and visitor attraction sectors. Officials have also met with relevant representatives and individual organisations in those sectors to hear their views.The impact assessment for the subscriptions chapter in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act can be found here: Subscription traps: annex 2 impact assessment. Together the subscription measures are anticipated to provide £400m of consumer benefits per year and the estimated net cost to businesses is £171m per year.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to manage the potential impact of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 on future trends in litigation on telecommunications infrastructure installation.

The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 (“the 2022 Act”) introduced specific measures affecting applications to the courts on telecoms matters. These included a requirement for operators to inform landowners of the availability of alternative dispute resolution and to consider using it before issuing legal proceedings. This is intended to reduce costs and litigation.DSIT is working with counterparts in the Ministry of Justice to understand the impacts of the changes made by the 2022 Act, including measures to transfer the jurisdiction for cases currently dealt with by the county court to the First-tier Tribunal or the Upper Tribunal.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 33865, on Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, if she will place a copy of the (a) internal Equality Impact Assessment and (b) equality screening in the Library of the House.

DCMS Ministers received advice on changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme including careful consideration of the potential equality impacts of the changes, in particular with regard to the protected characteristic of religion or belief. A separate equality screening or impact assessment document has not been produced, so will not be placed in the Library of the House.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 2025/26 NHS Payment Scheme Consultation on existing waiting times for an ADHD diagnosis.

As required by law, NHS England has assessed the impact of the proposed NHS Payment Scheme. This is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25-26-NHSPS-Consultation-notice-C-impact-assessment.pdfThis impact assessment includes consideration of the impact on patient choice, as well as an assessment of the impact on patients, in line with NHS England’s public sector equality duty.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients will continue to benefit from the Right to Choose their provider at the point of referral. None of the proposed changes to the NHS Payment Scheme included in the consultation would change this.Local integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for planning service provision in their local area, including for ADHD assessments and medication. In doing so, ICBs should take account of waiting lists, considering how local funding can be deployed to best meet the needs of their local population.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 2025/26 NHS Payment Scheme Consultation on the ability of patients to access medication for ADHD.

As required by law, NHS England has assessed the impact of the proposed NHS Payment Scheme. This is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25-26-NHSPS-Consultation-notice-C-impact-assessment.pdfThis impact assessment includes consideration of the impact on patient choice, as well as an assessment of the impact on patients, in line with NHS England’s public sector equality duty.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients will continue to benefit from the Right to Choose their provider at the point of referral. None of the proposed changes to the NHS Payment Scheme included in the consultation would change this.Local integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for planning service provision in their local area, including for ADHD assessments and medication. In doing so, ICBs should take account of waiting lists, considering how local funding can be deployed to best meet the needs of their local population.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2025 to Question 31424 on the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, whether her Department has undertaken an equality impact assessment of changes to that scheme.

The decision to make changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was made with careful consideration of the public sector equality duty outlined in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, ensuring that the objectives in that section were taken into account. There is no legal requirement to publish an equality impact assessment.

Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to provide funding for grassroots tennis.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport, including tennis, at 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.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential merits of physical education in the national curriculum on future engagement with sport

The Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport and the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth regularly meet with Ministerial counterparts from the Department for Education on a range of issues, including Physical Education and school sport.Schools play a key role in allowing all children to have high quality opportunities to take part in PE and sport, setting them up for a lifetime of physical activity. The Government is committed to protecting time for physical education in schools. The expert-led review of the curriculum will ensure that all children can engage with a broad range of subjects, including PE and sport.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that all school-age children have access to high quality physical education.

The government is dedicated to increasing children's activity levels by protecting physical education (PE) time and supporting grassroots clubs to expand access to sports for all girls and boys. Through our independent, expert-led Curriculum and Assessment Review, we will seek to deliver a curriculum which is rich, broad and inclusive, ensuring all children and young people have the best start in life and have equal opportunities to participate in high quality PE, sports and physical activities.Further information on budgets for the 2025/26 academic year will be shared in due course.

Whether she plans to provide funding for the PE and sport premium for primary schools in the 2025-26 financial year.

The government is dedicated to increasing children's activity levels by protecting physical education (PE) time and supporting grassroots clubs to expand access to sports for all girls and boys. Through our independent, expert-led Curriculum and Assessment Review, we will seek to deliver a curriculum which is rich, broad and inclusive, ensuring all children and young people have the best start in life and have equal opportunities to participate in high quality PE, sports and physical activities.Further information on budgets for the 2025/26 academic year will be shared in due course.

Media and Sport, if she will publish her Department's equality impact assessment in relation to changes to the Listed Places of Worship Scheme.

We do not have any plans to publish an equality impact assessment in relation to changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Media and Sport, how many meetings she has had with (a) the Church of England, (b) the Roman Catholic Church and (c) representatives of non-conformist churches in the last six months.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Media and Sport, how many meetings she had had in the last six months with Historic England on listed places of worship that are at risk.

I have met with Historic England several times formally and informally since July 2024 when we have discussed a wide range of issues affecting heritage buildings, heritage at risk and planning reform. These discussions have also included discussions on listed places of worship that are at risk.