Written questions by Andrew.

Media and Sport, what recent correspondence she has received from Historic England on the Listed Places of Worship scheme.

None.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with (a) the Church of England, (b) the Roman Catholic Church and (c) representatives of non-conformist churches on changes to the Listed Places of Worship Scheme.

The Government holds a range of meetings with representatives of religious organisations. DCMS officials have met with the Church of England and Catholic Bishops’ Conference to discuss the changes and ministers have exchanged correspondence with representatives from most denominations.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with (a) the Church of England, (b) the Roman Catholic Church and (c) representatives of non-conformist churches on funding for the (i) restoration and (ii) preservation of historic buildings.

DCMS leads on heritage policy covering a wide range of historic buildings; representatives from the churches have largely restricted their comments to matters of repair and renovation works to listed places of worship.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to the Listed Places of Worship Scheme on the (a) restoration and (b) preservation of historic buildings.

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was established to provide grants towards VAT paid on repairs and maintenance to the nation's listed places of worship. Based on past claims we estimate that 94% of applications will not be affected by the £25,000 cap.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill on local authority licensing for young performers who are absent from schools for performing engagements.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

Whether her Department plans to take steps to ensure that young performers are positively recorded in the absent register following the passage of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of safeguarding provisions in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill for young performers absent from school for work.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that young performers who are absent from school receive an appropriate education.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure young performers are (a) not (i) overworked and (ii) financially abused and (b) otherwise safeguarded in the context of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to implement the policies set out in the policy paper entitled High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age, published on 27 April 2023; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the policies in that white paper on the land-based gambling industry.

The Minister for Gambling has indicated her support for the previous government’s 2023 gambling white paper. This government has moved quickly to implement a number of proposals, including the statutory levy and online slots stake limits. We are considering the best available evidence from a wide range of sources to inform decisions on the remaining measures relating to the land-based sector. We are moving forward with measures to modernise the regulations for land-based casinos and are working as quickly as we can to ensure that legislation is laid in Parliament as soon as possible to implement these measures.

Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to fund research recommended by the Sports Concussion Research Forum.

The impact of the Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport is currently being evaluated by the Department for Health and Social Care, with DCMS involvement, including an assessment of how National Governing Bodies have made use of the guidelines. The evaluation is expected to be published in 2025.The Sports Concussion Research Forum, established by DCMS and chaired by the Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, published its independent report into the key research questions in this important area in September 2024 - https://www.ukri.org/publications/concussion-in-sport/Evidence-based sports research is an important component in ensuring that sport is made as safe as possible for all participants and I would encourage the sport sector to prioritise addressing the gaps in concussion in sport research identified in the Forum’s report.The Government will continue to discuss athlete safety, including the recording of head injuries, with relevant stakeholders and the sports sector to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to monitor the implementation of the Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport.

The impact of the Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport is currently being evaluated by the Department for Health and Social Care, with DCMS involvement, including an assessment of how National Governing Bodies have made use of the guidelines. The evaluation is expected to be published in 2025.The Sports Concussion Research Forum, established by DCMS and chaired by the Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, published its independent report into the key research questions in this important area in September 2024 - https://www.ukri.org/publications/concussion-in-sport/Evidence-based sports research is an important component in ensuring that sport is made as safe as possible for all participants and I would encourage the sport sector to prioritise addressing the gaps in concussion in sport research identified in the Forum’s report.The Government will continue to discuss athlete safety, including the recording of head injuries, with relevant stakeholders and the sports sector to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.

Media and Sport, how many national governing bodies of sport have (a) published and (b) implemented the Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport.

The impact of the Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport is currently being evaluated by the Department for Health and Social Care, with DCMS involvement, including an assessment of how National Governing Bodies have made use of the guidelines. The evaluation is expected to be published in 2025.The Sports Concussion Research Forum, established by DCMS and chaired by the Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, published its independent report into the key research questions in this important area in September 2024 - https://www.ukri.org/publications/concussion-in-sport/Evidence-based sports research is an important component in ensuring that sport is made as safe as possible for all participants and I would encourage the sport sector to prioritise addressing the gaps in concussion in sport research identified in the Forum’s report.The Government will continue to discuss athlete safety, including the recording of head injuries, with relevant stakeholders and the sports sector to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.

Media and Sport, what progress has been made in developing a standard framework for the recording of head injuries in sport.

The impact of the Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport is currently being evaluated by the Department for Health and Social Care, with DCMS involvement, including an assessment of how National Governing Bodies have made use of the guidelines. The evaluation is expected to be published in 2025.The Sports Concussion Research Forum, established by DCMS and chaired by the Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, published its independent report into the key research questions in this important area in September 2024 - https://www.ukri.org/publications/concussion-in-sport/Evidence-based sports research is an important component in ensuring that sport is made as safe as possible for all participants and I would encourage the sport sector to prioritise addressing the gaps in concussion in sport research identified in the Forum’s report.The Government will continue to discuss athlete safety, including the recording of head injuries, with relevant stakeholders and the sports sector to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.

Whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend Gift Aid legislation to ensure that charities who rely on a membership subscription model can continue to claim Gift Aid while complying with the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

The government is pleased to confirm its plans to legislate to amend the rules concerning Gift Aid due to implications of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This Act introduces new protections for consumers who take out subscription contracts. The government will amend existing Gift Aid legislation so that charities can continue to claim Gift Aid while complying with these new consumer protections when they come into force. In relation to the other general question related to Gift Aid reform, the government keeps all rules under review and will continue to work closely with the sector with a view to improving processes.

Whether she has plans to make changes to the rules on gift aid.

The government is pleased to confirm its plans to legislate to amend the rules concerning Gift Aid due to implications of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This Act introduces new protections for consumers who take out subscription contracts. The government will amend existing Gift Aid legislation so that charities can continue to claim Gift Aid while complying with these new consumer protections when they come into force. In relation to the other general question related to Gift Aid reform, the government keeps all rules under review and will continue to work closely with the sector with a view to improving processes.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to (a) Business and (b) Agricultural Property Relief on the heritage sector.

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. It is expected that up to around 2,000 estates will be affected by the changes to APR and BPR in 2026-27, with around half of those being claims that only involve AIM shares. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief (or those claiming agricultural property relief and business property relief together) are expected to be unaffected by these reforms. In some circumstances, relief from inheritance tax and capital gains tax is also available for national heritage assets when they pass to a new owner either as a result of a death or as a gift. HMRC determines which assets qualify for exemption on the advice of the government’s heritage advisory agencies. No changes have been made to this relief at the Budget. Information about tax relief for national heritage assets can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-relief-for-national-heritage-assets.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Written Statement of 30 July 2024 on Building the homes we need, HCWS48, how many of the new planning officers will have the expertise to handle historic and traditionally constructed buildings.

At the Budget, the Chancellor announced a £46 million package of investment to support capacity and capability in local planning authorities. We are working with delivery partners to understand how we can scale delivery and fund the recruitment and training of an additional 300 planners as part of that investment. This includes expansion of the Pathways to Planning programme which has had significant interest from prospective graduates wanting to take up roles in local planning authorities and train while they work. In relation to the specific skills needed in managing historic buildings, we are developing a wider programme of support, working with partners across the planning sector, including Historic England, to ensure that local planning authorities have the types of skills, both now and in the future. More details will be announced in due course. This will be further underpinned by increases in planning fees we are introducing in the coming months that will help improve the resourcing of planning services, so that LPAs can fund the skills they need.

Media and Sport, with reference to Section 5.2 of Adapting historic homes for energy efficiency: a review of the barriers, what progress has been made on Historic England’s review into the barriers to delivering the Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings.

With reference to Section 5.2 of Adapting historic homes for energy efficiency: a review of the barriers, the findings showed that although requirements in retrofit standards are driving demand and increasing numbers of providers delivering the required standards, there has been concern in the sector about the quality of provision. Based on these findings, Historic England has been working with Cadw and Historic Environment Scotland to improve, revise and update the content of the award.

Media and Sport, what discussions she department has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the decarbonisation of listed buildings.

I have not held any such discussions, but my officials discuss this and other related issues as part of ongoing engagement with their DESNZ and MHCLG counterparts. In addition, in July, Historic England, the UK government's statutory advisor on England's historic environment, published guidance to support the decarbonisation of historic buildings.https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/new-advice-on-adapting-historic-buildings-for-energy-and-carbon-efficiency/