Category: Culture

  • Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on Apprenticeships

    Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on Apprenticeships

    The comments made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 3 August 2021.

    It’s hugely exciting that Government is working with some of the world’s leading content producers, as well providing funding to make apprenticeships more flexible. Together, these steps mean many more young people from all backgrounds will have the chance to get a start in the UK’s world-class film and TV industry.

  • Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Music Streaming

    Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Music Streaming

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 15 July 2021.

    When music lovers stream their favourite tracks they expect the artists who perform them to profit.

    Instead, they get a pitiful amount while streaming sites and record companies cash in.

    It is clear that attempts to reform the system have failed and legislation is urgently needed which is why Labour have supported the broken record campaign to fix this.

  • Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Football Ticket Prices

    Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Football Ticket Prices

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 10 July 2021.

    England’s success in this tournament has made us all proud and shown again how much joy football can bring.

    Sadly ticket prices have been outrageous, pricing out genuine fans.

    As we bid for 2030, we must make it affordable to watch the World Cup on home soil for the first time since 1966. Let’s bring football home.

  • Keir Starmer – 2021 Comments on Eve of England Football Match

    Keir Starmer – 2021 Comments on Eve of England Football Match

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 10 July 2021.

    To Gareth Southgate and our England heroes, I want to say thank you.

    On and off the field, you’ve shown the best of England during this tournament.

    You’ve been as fearless as the three lions on our crest. You’ve lit up this tournament. And in spite of those who tried to undermine you, you’ve used your platform to stand up for our shared values as a country.

    In doing so, you have become role models not just to a generation of young people, but to an entire nation.

    I want you to know that as you line up at Wembley today, the whole of England will be bursting with pride watching you.

    We still believe. Bring it home.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2021 Statement on the Future of Channel 4

    Oliver Dowden – 2021 Statement on the Future of Channel 4

    The statement made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, in the House of Commons on 6 July 2021.

    Today, we are launching a consultation on the future ownership of Channel Four Television Corporation.

    Since its creation almost 40 years ago by a Conservative Government, Channel 4 has delivered on its remit, aims and objectives. But, in that time, the broadcasting landscape has changed beyond recognition, and continues to change apace.

    Increased global competition, changing audience habits, the decline of linear advertising revenue and a wave of consolidation in the sector all pose challenges.

    The consultation therefore asks for views and evidence on what ownership model and remit will best support Channel 4 to thrive for another 40 years and beyond.

    It is the Government’s current view, to be tested through the consultation, that a new ownership model would give Channel 4 the broadest range of tools to continue to thrive in the face of these new challenges.

    There are constraints that come with public ownership, and a new owner could bring access and benefits, including access to capital, new strategic partnerships and to the international markets.

    As we have set out before, we believe that the need for public service broadcasting in the UK is as strong as ever. We want to see Channel 4 keep its place at the heart of British broadcasting and continue to support the great creative economy in this country. We want to put it on a footing to flourish for decades to come. Now is therefore the time to test whether an alternative ownership model may be better for the broadcaster and better for the country.

    This consultation forms a key part of the Government’s wider strategic review of public service broadcasting, along- side Ofcom’s own reflection exercise. Together, our work will ensure that our public service broadcasters and the wider broadcasting framework are fit for the 21st century.

    The consultation can be accessed from today on gov.uk and will run for 10 weeks, closing on 14 September 2021 at 11.45 pm. A copy of the consultation will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  • Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Robbie Gibb

    Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Robbie Gibb

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, on 10 July 2021.

    These allegations raise very serious questions about Conservative cronyism at the heart of the BBC.

    If Robbie Gibb is in post to further Tory interests rather than the public interest, then he is in the wrong job.

    Oliver Dowden must join the calls for him to resign or the BBC must sack him immediately for the sake of its own integrity.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2021 Statement on News UK

    Oliver Dowden – 2021 Statement on News UK

    The statement made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, in the House of Commons on 24 June 2021.

    On 1 February 2021, News UK submitted an application to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport requesting that I release in full the undertakings that were accepted by the then Secretary of State, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Kenilworth and Southam (Jeremy Wright), in 2019, to replace conditions put in place by the then Secretary of State for Trade, the right hon. John Biffin MP, in 1981.

    News UK has submitted that the changes in the newspaper industry and the challenges posed by the covid-19 pandemic mean that the undertakings are no longer necessary.

    They note that the undertakings place them at a competitive disadvantage to other newspapers, and that the release is necessary to allow the continued provision of quality news by The Times and The Sunday Times.

    Copies of the invitation to comment and the application documents will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The deadline for comments is 5 pm on 15 July. This application will be considered in a quasi-judicial manner through a fair and transparent process.

    If, after considering the responses, I am minded to release, or vary the undertakings, there will be a further consultation on my decision as required by legislation.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on the Culture Recovery Fund

    Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on the Culture Recovery Fund

    The comments made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 25 June 2021.

    Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of organisations across the country to survive and protected hundreds of thousands of jobs. Now, as we look forward to full reopening, this funding shows our commitment to stand behind culture and heritage all the way through the pandemic.

    This round of funding will provide a further boost to help organisations build back better and ensure we can support more of those in need – safeguarding our precious culture and heritage, and the jobs this supports.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on the Latitude Festival

    Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on the Latitude Festival

    The comments made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 25 June 2021.

    We are working flat out to find a way to get festivals back up and running safely, so it’s brilliant that Latitude Festival will go ahead as part of the Events Research Programme and build on the success of our pilots at Download and Sefton Park.

  • Alison McGovern – 2021 Comments on the Events Research Programme Results

    Alison McGovern – 2021 Comments on the Events Research Programme Results

    The comments made by Alison McGovern, the Shadow Culture Minister, on 23 June 2021.

    As requested by the Government, Directors of Public Health, events companies and members of the public put in every effort to test safe ways to go ahead with live music, nightclubs, sports events and other large scale events. And yet now the Government won’t share the data to confirm if it works and allow them to plan.

    Businesses need to be able to plan and the public should know what is possible to make sure the summer is both safe and fun. They all deserve a lot better than this messing about from the Conservatives. Why does Boris Johnson find it so hard to be transparent with us?