theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the travel costs to families for their child to meet their (a) educational, (b) pastoral and (c) mental health needs where the local school is unable to meet those needs; and whether she plans to review support for home-to-school transport in such cases. \p Georgia Gould: The government’s ambition is that all children receive the support they need to achieve and thrive. Our home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport.

A child is eligible for free home-to-school transport if they are of compulsory school age (5 to 16), attend their nearest school and would not be able to walk there because of the distance, their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, or the safety of the route. If they have an education, health and care plan, the school named in that plan will usually be considered their nearest for home-to-school transport purposes. There are extended rights to free travel for children from low-income households.

We have committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools so fewer children need to travel long distances to a school that can meet their needs and will bring forward a White Paper with plans to improve the special educational needs and disabilities system.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of specialist SEND school places that would be required to meet demand in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Georgia Gould: For the first time in 2023, the School Capacity Survey (SCAP) asked local authorities to provide data on the capacity of special schools and the capacity of special educational needs units and resourced provision in mainstream schools.

The department now have a second year’s worth of data which tells us approximately how many places local authorities think were available on 1 May 2024. This is only approximate at the moment as it is the second year of data collection, and the data are still being developed in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

The survey also asked local authorities to submit forecasts for the number of pupils with education, health and care plans resident in their local authority who are expected to need a place in specialist provision.

Specialist capacity and forecast data for all local authorities can be accessed on GOV.UK here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity/2023-24.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support specialist schools in improving the transition for neurodivergent pupils into the workplace. \p Georgia Gould: Supporting neurodivergent pupils into the workplace is important for all schools, including specialist schools.

As set out in the SEND Code of Practice, all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) should be prepared for adulthood (PfA). This means being prepared in the following four areas:

For those with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, the annual review of the plan from year 9 onwards must include a focus on PfA.

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework for delivering high quality careers guidance in schools and colleges. For SEND learners, the benchmarks apply equally, but with adaptations to meet individual needs. Where a learner has an active EHC plan, careers guidance is provided up to age 25.

The department has supported the Department for Work and Pensions in developing the use of Adjustment Planners for higher education (HE) students. An Adjustments Planner provides a useful tool to support learners to progress in HE, take up work during term time or move into employment by enabling them to plan for the future. The department is considering how the use of the planner can be widened for more learners.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to page 88 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress she has made on working with the Ministry of Defence to develop understanding of the Armed Forces among young people in schools. \p Georgia Gould: I refer the hon. Member for Huntingdon to the answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57466.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department holds on the average time to resolve a school complaint in (a) England, (b) Lancashire and (c) Fylde constituency. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested is not held centrally.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to issue updated guidance to schools on the inclusion of (a) authors and (b) perspectives from diverse backgrounds on reading lists. \p Georgia Gould: The national curriculum for English aims to ensure an appreciation of our rich and varied literary heritage. It emphasises the importance of listening to, discussing and reading a wide range of stories, poems, plays and non-fiction. While the curriculum does not prescribe specific reading lists, it outlines broad categories for text selection. Teachers have flexibility in their choice of books to teach within the context of the curriculum.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review wants to ensure an excellent foundation in the core subjects of reading, writing and mathematics, and a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work, and reflects the diversity of our society. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn, at which point the government will respond.
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Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that teachers are not pressured into leaving the profession. \p Georgia Gould: No staff member should ever be pressured into leaving their job. Headteachers have the freedom to manage employment at their schools in accordance with the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document guidance for maintained schools and relevant employment law for all schools.

In addition, the government is taking action to ensure that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) cannot be used to take unfair advantage of workers. For example, the Employment Rights Bill now includes a measure that will void any provision in an agreement, such as a contract of employment or settlement agreement, between a worker and their employer that prevents a worker from speaking out about relevant harassment or discrimination. The government intends to outline strict conditions in regulations under which NDAs can still be validly entered into.

We are also taking significant steps to reduce pressure on teachers and therefore increase teacher retention. Our ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service contains a range of supportive resources for schools to review and reduce workload, as well as improve staff wellbeing. This year saw one of the lowest leaver rates since 2010, with 1,300 fewer teachers leaving the state-funded sector.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of funding for supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. \p Georgia Gould: The department has allocated high needs funding of over £12 billion specifically for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the current 2025/26 financial year. The funding announced at the 2025 Spending Review, which provided an increase of £4.2 billion for schools over the next three years, will enable a significant investment in the support available for pupils with SEND within mainstream schools, facilitating reform of the SEND system to make those schools more inclusive. We are continuing to engage closely with children, parents and experts as we develop plans to ensure all children get the outcomes and life chances they deserve.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of levels of changes in real-terms funding since 2010 on schools. \p Georgia Gould: School funding is increasing by £3.7 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, meaning that core school budgets will total £65.3 billion, compared with £61.6 billion in 2024/25. This is set to rise by a further £4.2 billion by the 2028/29 financial year. This settlement more than protects per-pupil funding in real terms and supports our mission to help all children and young people achieve and thrive.

The department’s schools funding statistics show what changes in school funding since 2010 have meant for per-pupil funding in real terms. The statistics can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-funding-statistics/2024-25. Based on the GDP deflator, real-terms funding per pupil fell in the mid-2010s but has since risen and is now above the 2010/11 financial year levels. School funding per pupil in the 2025/26 financial year is 8.7% higher than 2010/11 in real terms.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of student loan interest rates on the total repayment amount for graduates earning below the repayment threshold. \p Josh MacAlister: Student loans are subject to interest so that those who can afford to do so contribute to the full cost of their degree.

Interest rates on student loans do not affect monthly repayments made by borrowers. Regulated repayments are linked to income not to interest rates or the loan balance. Borrowers will be liable to repay at a fixed percentage of earnings above the applicable student loan repayment threshold. Those earning below the student loan repayment threshold repay nothing. Outstanding debt, including interest built up, is written off after the loan term ends, or in case of death or disability, at no detriment to the borrower.

A full equality impact assessment of how the student loan reforms may affect graduates, including detail on changes to average lifetime repayments under Plan 2 and Plan 5, was produced and published under the previous government in February 2022 and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reform-equality-impact-assessment.
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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when the international student levy will be introduced. \p Josh MacAlister: This government is committed to supporting the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to attend higher education (HE). We must, therefore, reform the HE system to better support disadvantaged students.

That is why the government will introduce targeted means-tested maintenance grants for students in low-income households studying on courses that support our missions and industrial strategy, funded by a levy on income from international student fees.

The government will set out further details on the International Student Levy and targeted means-tested maintenance grants at the Autumn Budget.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken to help increase the number of pupils obtaining Level 4 qualifications in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency. \p Josh MacAlister: The government has set an ambition for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher-level study (level 4+) by age 25.

From September 2026, learners will be able to apply for Lifelong Learning Entitlement funding, that will support learners to take on courses and modular learning at levels 4-6, across universities, colleges and independent providers.

The government will also reintroduce targeted, means-tested maintenance grants, which will offer vital financial support to eligible students from low-income households, helping more of these students to access and excel in higher education.

The department is expanding Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), which are quality-marked, occupation-focused level 4–5 courses available at universities, further education colleges, and independent providers. They offer flexible study options, such as part-time and distance learning, making them accessible to those with caring responsibilities or in work. 282 HTQs have been approved across 13 occupational routes.
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Vicky Foxcroft:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with further education sector professionals during the development of its plans to replace BTECs. \p Josh MacAlister: Officials and Ministers from the department regularly meet with stakeholders, including further education sector professionals and their representative bodies.

During the Review of Qualifications Reform in 2024, we held an extensive programme of engagement, to ensure that the views of colleges, schools, teachers and wider stakeholders fed into the review. We spoke to over 250 people through the more than 40 hours of engagement, including over 100 teachers, practitioners, and college leaders.

The department held a Ministerial chaired round table with key leaders in the college sector and undertook a series of focus groups and interviews with colleges, schools and other organisations to ensure that the views of stakeholders were fully considered.

We will continue to work closely with the sector, drawing on their insight to ensure future reforms deliver high quality qualifications for young people.
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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what measures her Department is taking to help support access to dance education in schools. \p Georgia Gould: The department provides funding for the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) for means-tested bursaries for 11 to 19 year-olds and the Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA) means-tested grants for 16 to 19 year-olds to improve access to specialist dance education. These routes give students training at professional level in contemporary dance and classical ballet, and the funding is targeted towards those from lower income households.

Dance is an important part of our creative industries. The creative industries have been announced as one of eight growth-driving sectors within the Industrial Strategy published in the summer, alongside the Creative Industries’ Sector Plan.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review is considering dance as part of the physical education (PE) national curriculum, and the Review’s final report and government response will be published in the autumn.

The department will launch a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education next year, to promote high quality arts education in schools, including in dance. We will also support dance teaching as part of PE through the new PE and School Sport Partnerships.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with the university sector on the mental health of students. \p Josh MacAlister: This government is committed to ensuring students in higher education (HE) have access to effective mental health support. This is why my noble Friend, the Minister for Skills has recently appointed a new HE Student Support Champion to lead a reconvened HE Mental Health Implementation Taskforce. Full details of the new champion will be announced shortly.

The Minister for Skills, met with the new champion earlier this month to set out her strategic priorities for mental health in HE, and on 10 October the champion reconvened the HE Mental Health Implementation Taskforce. The taskforce will be a key vehicle for discussions with the university sector around driving forward improvements.

Updates on the work of the taskforce will be published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/higher-education-mental-health-implementation-taskforce.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to promote hospitality careers to young people through (a) schools and (b) colleges. \p Josh MacAlister: Our ambition is for everyone to have access to impartial careers information, advice and guidance throughout their lives, to break down barriers to opportunity and drive economic growth.

We fund the Careers and Enterprise Company to support schools and colleges to deliver high quality careers programmes and increase young people’s exposure to different sectors, including hospitality.

96% (4,942) of schools and colleges in England are part of our national network of careers hubs. These hubs connect educators to employers, local authorities and sector bodies, including the Food and Drink Consortium and UK Hospitality. They provide insight into roles and pathways into all sectors, resources developed by employers to support careers learning in education, help to identify work experience opportunities and tailor careers advice to local need.

Our Skills for Careers website has a dedicated page for young people to explore careers across sectors, including hospitality, and can be accessed here: https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/common/career-ideas.
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Vicky Foxcroft:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's timetable is for the completion of its review of post-16 qualifications. \p Josh MacAlister: Through our Plan for Change, the government is building a skills system that will drive forward opportunity and deliver the growth that our economy needs. Students deserve high quality qualifications, and we must continue to develop and improve qualifications, so that they provide for the needs of students and employers. Qualifications are being reformed so that they are better quality and deliver improved outcomes.

The outcomes from the Review of Post-16 Qualifications Reform were published in December 2024. The Curriculum and Assessment Review published its interim report earlier this year and aims to ensure meaningful, rigorous and high-value pathways for all learners aged 16-19. The Review will publish their final recommendations in autumn 2025.

The Review’s interim report said that they were interested in developing a third pathway at level 3 alongside A levels and T Levels and noted the absence of 'vocational' options in the reformed system. The department is working with the Review panel on the approach to qualifications at levels 2 and 3 and will set out further detail shortly.
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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking improve the financial position of universities. \p Josh MacAlister: Higher education (HE) providers are autonomous institutions and, as such, the government does not intervene in industrial disputes or negotiations between employers and trade unions. However, we remain committed to constructive engagement with both the unions and the employer representative body to help address the broader challenges facing the sector.

The government has taken steps to secure the future for our world-leading universities so they can deliver for students, taxpayers, workers and the economy. We made the difficult decision to increase tuition fees in line with inflation for the 2025/26 academic year, and appointed Professor Edward Peck as Chair of the Office for Students (OfS). We will set out our plans for HE reform as part of the Post-16 Skills White Paper, and will work with the sector and the OfS to deliver the change that the country needs.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that school staff receive training on how to support pupils with epilepsy. \p Georgia Gould: Governing bodies must ensure that the arrangements they put in place are sufficient to meet their statutory responsibilities and that policies, plans, procedures and systems are properly and effectively implemented. This includes the duty under Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions and the duties under the Equality Act 2010. The effectiveness of a school is assessed through inspection by Ofsted.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she will publish her Department's post-16 education and skills strategy. \p Josh MacAlister: The government is developing a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education and skills and will shortly publish the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she plans to provide funding for all state primary schools to have a library. \p Stephanie Peacock: As funding for this initiative will come from the Dormant Assets Scheme over which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has responsibility, your question has been transferred to my Department.

This government fully recognises the transformational power of reading and believes that every child should have access to a library space, along with high-quality reading materials and supportive environments that nurture their learning and development.

It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian.

Through the Dormant Assets Scheme, we have committed to every child having access to a library space in every primary school in England by the end of this Parliament to help foster a culture of reading for pleasure amongst disadvantaged children and young people in the spaces and places that matter to them. The government will work with The National Lottery Community Fund to co-design the programme and will announce further details in due course.

Funding for this programme will come from the £132.5 million that was allocated to increasing disadvantaged young people’s access to enrichment opportunities in the arts, culture, sports and wider youth services, aimed at improving wellbeing and employability.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support people with disabilities to partake in sport activities. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government believes that opportunities to play sport and get physically active should be available to everyone. ​At my recent visit to Kiveton Park FC it was a pleasure to see firsthand how the club’s inspirational work is empowering disabled children to experience the benefits of sport. We are committed to breaking down the barriers that contribute to the persisting inequalities in participation and want to ensure that everyone can experience the physical, mental and social benefits that come with being active.

To achieve this, the Government works closely with its Arm's-Length Bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, as well as other partners in the sector, to improve access to sports for all.

Sport England's ten-year Uniting the Movement strategy reinforces its commitment to increasing participation in sport and physical activity for those from under-represented groups, including disabled people. Sport England has ensured that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with Disability Rights UK, Activity Alliance, Aspire, and Sense.
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Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing statutory maximum waiting times for young people to access youth services. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential.

We also, however, acknowledge the challenges facing the sector. That is why we are co-producing a new National Youth Strategy. The Strategy will better coordinate youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level, moving away from siloed working - ensuring services for young people are better coordinated and add up to more than the sum of their parts. We do not intend to introduce a statutory maximum waiting time for young people to access youth services.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last five years. \p Ian Murray: From 1st January 2021 until 16th October 2025 25 officials have been investigated under the department’s disciplinary processes.

We are unable to provide the yearly breakdown of disciplinary investigations because doing so would breach the Data Protection Act. This is due to the risk of identifying individuals in years where the case count is five or less, as the information relates to someone other than the data subjects and the risk of individuals becoming identifiable where case numbers for some years are 5 or less.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what criteria she plans to use to determine funding under the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund. \p Ian Murray: The DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund is open to bids from accredited museums, museum services and galleries in England that either hold at least one designated collection, or are current Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs).

Bids submitted for consideration must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Material improvements to the display and interpretation of collections, in permanent galleries, exhibition spaces and public spaces, to enhance visitor experience.

Improvements to access and/or interpretation for visitors with disabilities, for children and young people, and/or underrepresented audiences.

Improvements to environmental controls, collections storage and conservation facilities to enhance the care of collections.

Further balancing criteria and an outline of the assessment process can be found in the application guidance here.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress she has made on heritage high street regeneration programmes. \p Ian Murray: This year the government launched new funding for heritage which will benefit high streets and beyond.

The £15m Heritage at Risk Capital Fund which enables individuals and organisations in the most deprived neighbourhoods in England to rescue and repair at-risk historic sites and buildings that bring people together, like shops, pubs, parks and town halls. In August 2025, funding was announced for 37 much-loved historic buildings and sites, many of which are located on high streets and in town centres.

Alongside this, the £4.85m Heritage Revival Fund has a particular emphasis on town centres and helps to rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings in England, enabling community organisations, charities and social enterprises to take ownership and repurpose sites such as theatres, department stores and former banks.

These funds will support the government’s Pride in Place Strategy, announced by the Prime Minister on 25th September 2025, to tackle local issues in 339 of the UK's most disadvantaged communities.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she expects to launch the UK Town of Culture competition. \p Ian Murray: The UK Town of Culture competition will help to boost pride in place by shining a spotlight on multiple towns and giving them a platform to share their story, building on the success of the UK City of Culture competition. Further details on the UK Town of Culture competition will be announced in due course.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of harmonising gambling tax rates on the horseracing industry. \p Ian Murray: There has been ministerial engagement between my Department and His Majesty’s Treasury to ensure that they are aware of the specific way British horseracing is funded and the potential implications of any changes to taxation.

Future proposals on Gambling Duties are a matter for HMT, should legislative changes come about, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the prevalence of gambling-related harms linked to slot machines in adult gaming centres. \p Ian Murray: The Gambling Commission, via the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, collects data on PGSI scores for respondents who have taken part in specific gambling activities. A PGSI score of 8 or more usually represents ‘problem’ gambling. These findings do not represent the PGSI 8+ rate for each product alone. Many people participate in multiple activities and their PGSI score is reflected across all activities that they participate in.

According to the latest survey, published on 2 October 2025, 16.9% of respondents who played fruit and slot machines in person had a PGSI score of 8+ in the last 12 months, and 26.5% of respondents who played casino games on a machine or terminal in a venue. A PGSI score of 8 or more was 3.8 times higher amongst people who had played fruit and slots played in person, and 5.9 times higher amongst people who had played casino games on a machine or terminal in a venue, compared to all people who had gambled in the past 12 months. These results are based on machines in all venues and are not specific to adult gaming centres, as this level of detail is not collected via the Gambling Survey for Great Britain.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of gambling adverts on people living in Lincolnshire \p Ian Murray: The Government is clear that wherever gambling advertising appears, it must be socially responsible. There are a number of robust measures in place to regulate advertising, designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. Additionally, we have set the gambling industry a clear task to further raise standards to ensure that gambling advertising is appropriate, responsible, and does not exacerbate harm.

The Government monitors the best available evidence from a wide range of sources to aid our assessment of the impact of gambling advertising at a national level. Developing quality evidence in this area is a key priority for the new statutory gambling levy. Twenty percent of funding will be directed towards high quality, independent research to fill gaps in the evidence base on gambling-related harm. We will continue to monitor the developments in the evidence and take action where appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1192

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the prevalence of gambling advertising that is not obviously identifiable as advertising. \p Ian Murray: The Government is clear that wherever gambling advertising appears, it must be socially responsible. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to further raise standards to ensure that gambling advertising is appropriate, responsible, and does not exacerbate harm.

There are a number of robust measures in place to regulate advertising, designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. All gambling operators who advertise in the UK must comply with advertising codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) independently of the Government. These codes apply to all advertising, including content marketing, but does not apply to editorial content, which is not deemed to be selling a product or service. The Government monitors the best available evidence from a wide range of sources to aid our assessment of the impact of gambling advertising at a national level.

Additionally, advertising code changes implemented from 1 September 2025 have increased the ASA’s scope, enabling the ASA to also regulate advertising by overseas gambling operators using online ads to target UK consumers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1193

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support council-led initiatives aimed at reducing gambling-related harm in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Ian Murray: The Government recognises that harmful gambling can wreck the lives of individuals, families and communities. Working with the Gambling Commission, we are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk through a range of new safer gambling requirements. We will continue to consider the best available evidence and work with all stakeholders to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.

Those experiencing gambling-related harm in England can access specialist treatment through NHS Gambling Clinics available in every region of the country, including the Southern Gambling Service. There is also a range of support available through the National Gambling Support Network.

The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to improve and expand the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. The levy will raise around £100 million in funding every year to deliver priority projects and services across research, prevention and treatment, including local authority-led initiatives, which together aim to reduce gambling-related harms across Great Britain. The statutory gambling levy is now in force, and funding will start flowing later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1194

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) visa, (b) work-permit, (c) transport and (d) administrative costs under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on UK touring artists. \p Ian Murray: This government recognises that touring in Europe has become more difficult for UK artists. We closely monitor the impact of current arrangements on the ability of UK performers and their crews to work and tour in Europe, including the additional time, cost and complexity involved in securing visas and permits and transporting equipment and goods between the UK and EU. These barriers make it harder for UK performers to plan and deliver tours, particularly for smaller and emerging artists for whom European tours present a crucial stepping stone to forge professional connections and establish careers.

The UK and EU share a strong interest in ensuring that artists and audiences on both sides continue to benefit from cultural exchange. European audiences gain from the access to British artists, and venues, festivals and business across Europe benefit from the talent, local economic activity and cultural benefits that touring generates.

As agreed at the inaugural UK-EU Summit, we are committed to deepening UK-EU cultural exchange, including the activities of touring artists. We are carefully considering the most effective ways to do this, and continue to engage with the European Commission, European Member States, and the arts and creative sectors.

Addressing the challenges faced by our sectors is a key part of our broader strategy to strengthen and grow the UK’s creative industries, as set out in our Creative Industries Sector Plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1195

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to restrict the sale of computer games that (a) allow players to pretend to be the perpetrator in real-life school shootings and (b) create scenarios where players can commit mass school shootings; and whether she plans to restrict the promotion of such games to (i) children and (ii) all people. \p Ian Murray: Decisions regarding the classification of video games are made by the Games Rating Authority (GRA). 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 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. Where this is not possible, a classification may be refused.

Even if material does not breach a specific UK law, the GRA may refuse to classify content on harm grounds when a game contains material that poses a significant risk of harm; either to viewers or, through their subsequent behaviour, to society. This may include content that 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, or sadistic violence look appealing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1196

Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the BBC Board on calls for the UK to withdraw from Eurovision coverage if the Israeli state broadcaster participates. \p Ian Murray: The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the Government. Therefore, the Government cannot intervene in the BBC’s day-to-day operations including on editorial matters.

Decisions on who to include in international events and competitions are for the organisers to take, within the framework of their own rules and regulations. It is for the EBU, in consultation with its members, to decide which countries are allowed to participate in Eurovision.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1197

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the BBC Board on the UK's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in the context of Israel's participation. \p Ian Murray: The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the Government. Therefore, the Government cannot intervene in the BBC’s day-to-day operations including on editorial matters.

Decisions on who to include in international events and competitions are for the organisers to take, within the framework of their own rules and regulations. It is for the EBU, in consultation with its members, to decide which countries are allowed to participate in Eurovision.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1198
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1198

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Creative Industries Sector Plan, published on 23 June 2025, when she plans to publish the video games skills strategy. \p Ian Murray: The Video Games Skills Strategy is being developed by an industry-led UK Games Skills Network and is due to be published later in 2025. This will build on findings from the Creative Industries Council Skills Audit, giving video games skills organisations and delivery partners a clear remit for tackling persistent skills gaps.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1199
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1199

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to ensure that taxpayer-funded local radio stations continue to produce content that is tailored to local audiences, rather than shifting towards increased national programming; and what steps she has taken to help protect the distinct local character and public service value of such stations. \p Ian Murray: Local radio continues to bring localities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information.

The BBC is the only public radio broadcaster and is funded by the licence fee. It is for the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, given it is operationally independent from the Government. However, the BBC is required under the terms of its Charter and its Framework to continue to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK.

Local commercial radio stations, which are not tax payer funded, that broadcast on AM or FM are subject to requirements to provide local news and information and these requirements were recently revised by the Media Act 2024. The implementation of the revised local news requirements is currently being reviewed by Ofcom, following the closure of a consultation on 22 September 2025.

Community radio stations - such as Gateway 97.8 which covers the Basildon area - provide an essential contribution to local audiences with tailored content of a distinct local character. Whilst community radio stations are mostly funded by advertising and community support, DCMS does provide financial support to community radio stations through the Community Radio Fund. This is operated by Ofcom, and provides grant funding to to support the sustainability and growth of the sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1200

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support UK-based broadcasters in adapting to changes in consumer behaviour associated with moving away from satellite television and towards streaming services. \p Ian Murray: We recognise the shift in audience habits to watching more television over internet-based platforms and the pressure this places on broadcasters. Through the Government’s Future of TV Distribution project, we’re exploring how people access television now and over the next decade, including assessing the future role of satellite in our distribution ecosystem. Ensuring that distribution costs are reasonable for broadcasters and that television continues to be universally available for audiences is key. As discussed in greater detail by Minister Peacock in the recent Future of Terrestrial Television debate, we are engaging a wide range of industry and audience voices through a ministerially chaired stakeholder forum to help understand these pressures.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1201

Andrew Pakes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support local visitor economies. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is supporting the visitor economy through partnerships with VisitBritain and VisitEngland to promote Britain globally and drive local growth.

The new Visitor Economy Advisory Council brings together industry leaders, regional voices, and experts to help shape a growth plan aimed at welcoming 50 million inbound visitors annually by 2030.