Category: Culture

  • John Whittingdale – 2021 Statement on the Regulation of Betindex

    John Whittingdale – 2021 Statement on the Regulation of Betindex

    The statement made by John Whittingdale, the Minister for Media and Data, in the House of Commons on 7 June 2021.

    Further to the statement of 20 April outlining plans for an independent expert review of the regulation of the Football Index gambling product, we are today announcing the full terms of reference for the review and further details.

    The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Oliver Dowden) has appointed Malcolm Sheehan QC to lead the review. He will provide an independent expert account of the actions taken by the Gambling Commission and other relevant regulatory bodies, and consider the lessons to be learnt for the future. He will have access to all the necessary information held by Government and regulatory bodies to conduct the review.

    As outlined in the terms of reference which we have also released in full on www.gov.uk, the review will cover the period from the granting of BetIndex’s gambling licence in September 2015 to the Gambling Commission’s suspension of that licence on 11 March this year. It will principally report on the actions of the Gambling Commission in assessing, licensing, and monitoring the operator, responding to concerns and delivering its objectives. The review will also consider how the Financial Conduct Authority responded to questions from the Gambling Commission and how it considered whether the product amounted to a regulated activity under the Financial Services and Markets Act.

    It is important that former customers continue to have a voice. The Administrators should have already contacted every former customer so they can submit a claim if they think they are owed money or compensation from the company. Customers will be kept informed through the administration process, including on any opportunities they may have to vote on next steps. The Gambling Commission will also continue to consider information it receives from individuals about the actions of Football Index where it pertains to its ongoing regulatory investigation into BetIndex’s licence. While the Call for Evidence closed on 31 March, former customers can also continue to provide information to DCMS about the Football Index case to inform the Gambling Act review. Hundreds of individuals have already done so, and where relevant to the Terms of Reference for the independent review we will pass those to Malcolm Sheehan QC.

    This independent review is expected to provide a report for publication in the summer, and will include recommendations as needed across the full range of questions set out in the terms of reference. Its findings will form part of the evidence informing the Government’s ongoing review of the Gambling Act 2005, which was announced in December 2020. This independent review is entirely separate from the Gambling Commission’s ongoing regulatory investigation and the administration proceedings, and will be done in such a way as to avoid prejudicing either of those processes. A copy of the terms of reference will be placed in the Library of the House.

  • Ben Kensell – 2021 Comments on Norwich City’s Football Club Sponsor

    Ben Kensell – 2021 Comments on Norwich City’s Football Club Sponsor

    The statement made on 7 June 2021 by Ben Kensell, the Chief Operating Officer for Norwich City Football Club, following the appointment of a controversial sponsor.

    BK8 will undoubtedly be a new brand for City fans, however, they’re a well trusted name across Asia. The Premier League has an accumulative TV audience of over three billion and is broadcast into over a billion homes – a huge proportion of these Premier League fans are based in Asia.

    Supporting BK8 in marketing to this global Premier League fanbase equally affords us as a club the opportunity to further our own exposure and commercial efforts into those markets.

    Both the club and BK8 are committed to supporting the ongoing review into betting and sports sponsorship. The club continues to adhere to both an internal code of conduct, as well as the policies and guidelines put in place by the Betting & Gaming Council, when carrying out marketing campaigns with betting and gaming brands.

    The industry continues to provide a valuable source of revenue to the club that makes a meaningful difference to our wider objectives as a club.

  • Iain Stewart – 2021 Comments on the 2025 City of Culture Bidding Process

    Iain Stewart – 2021 Comments on the 2025 City of Culture Bidding Process

    The comments made by Iain Stewart, the UK Government Minister for Scotland, on 29 May 2021.

    The UK City of Culture competition offers a wonderful opportunity for the winning city to make its mark on the UK’s cultural landscape.

    Through raising a city’s creative and cultural profile and drawing in visitors, winning this prestigious title can also provide a real social and economic boost.

    It would be brilliant to bring the prize to Scotland for the first time and I’d strongly urge Scottish towns and cities to get involved.

     

  • Simon Hart – 2021 Comments on the 2025 City of Culture Bidding Process

    Simon Hart – 2021 Comments on the 2025 City of Culture Bidding Process

    The comments made by Simon Hart, the Secretary of State for Wales, on 29 May 2021.

    A thriving arts and culture scene has long been at the heart of a successful Wales and will remain so as we recover from the pandemic.

    The UK City of Culture competition represents an opportunity to not only bring significant financial investment and regeneration benefits, but also to boost Wales’ established reputation as globally-recognised creative hub.

    I encourage towns and cities across Wales to get involved in the competition, to champion hidden talent and promote local art scenes so that we can continue to highlight the unique cultural and artistic talents of Wales.

  • Brandon Lewis – 2021 Comments on the 2025 City of Culture Bidding Process

    Brandon Lewis – 2021 Comments on the 2025 City of Culture Bidding Process

    The comments made by Brandon Lewis, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 29 May 2021.

    As Derry-Londonderry proved in 2013, the UK City of Culture is a prestigious title which served to harness its wonderful heritage and culture to change perceptions of the city, attract investment and create local employment.

    I encourage cities in Northern Ireland to enter the 2025 competition to showcase the very best of what Northern Ireland has to offer the UK, as an integral part of the Union.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2021 Statement on the 2025 City of Culture Bidding Process

    Oliver Dowden – 2021 Statement on the 2025 City of Culture Bidding Process

    The statement made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 29 May 2021.

    The UK City of Culture is a fantastic showcase of the huge impact culture has in towns and cities across the country. From Derry-Londonderry, to Hull and Coventry, previous winners have shown how the competition can deliver greater cultural participation, drive economic regeneration and boost local pride. I encourage towns and cities across the UK to put forward bids for 2025 and champion their local arts and culture scene. I’m also delighted to confirm the competition will run in future years, as a sign of our commitment to levelling up culture across the whole of the UK.

  • Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on the Tracey Crouch Review

    Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on the Tracey Crouch Review

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 21 May 2021.

    Of the ten members of this panel only one is a fan representative so this hasn’t got the look or feel of being fan-led.

    There is no information about when, how and in what way fans will be involved in this review and not even a timescale given about when this information will be available.

    Fans are still waiting for ministers to explain how their views and ideas will be listened to so that we can all be confident that this review really will live up to the Government’s promise that it will be led by the fans.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on the Draft Online Safety Bill

    Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on the Draft Online Safety Bill

    The comments made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 12 May 2021.

    Today the UK shows global leadership with our groundbreaking laws to usher in a new age of accountability for tech and bring fairness and accountability to the online world.

    We will protect children on the internet, crack down on racist abuse on social media and through new measures to safeguard our liberties, create a truly democratic digital age.

  • Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on the Draft Online Safety Bill

    Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on the Draft Online Safety Bill

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 12 May 2021.

    Over two years ago the Conservatives promised ‘world leading’ legislation in their White Paper. Instead we have watered down and incomplete proposals which lag behind the rest of the world. Even the Government’s press release admits that it’s proposals will only tackle some of the worst abuses on social media.

    Labour backs criminal sanctions for senior tech executives to bring about a change of culture in these companies who for too long have been given a completely free rein.

    As the NSPCC has identified these proposals do very little to ensure children are safe online. There is little to incentivise companies to prevent their platforms from being used for harmful practices.

    The Bill, which will have taken the Government more than five years from its first promise to act to be published, is a wasted opportunity to put into place future proofed legislation to provide an effective and all-encompassing regulatory framework to keep people safe online.

  • John Whittingdale – 2021 Statement on the Regulation of Football Index

    John Whittingdale – 2021 Statement on the Regulation of Football Index

    The statement made by John Whittingdale, the Minister for Media and Data, in the House of Commons on 20 April 2021.

    I am announcing today that DCMS will appoint an independent expert to conduct a review of the regulation of the Football Index gambling product, up to the point where its operator’s licence was suspended in March, and to make recommendations to the Government and the regulators.

    Football Index’s operator, BetIndex Ltd, was granted a licence to provide online betting by the Gambling Commission in September 2015. The Commission began a formal review of this licence in May 2020 and suspended it in March 2021. The company is currently in administration. At the time of suspension, the product allowed customers (called traders) to place bets (shares) on the future performance of footballers. These bets lasted for three years, with payments called dividends being made according to a player’s performance. The product evolved to let customers buy and sell bets with prices fluctuating according to demand.

    The Government are taking the situation regarding Football Index and the concerns of those affected by it very seriously. It is reported that many thousands of customers are affected by the product’s collapse, with some having lost very large sums. This review will aim to establish both how this situation came about and what lessons we can learn from it.

    A principal purpose of the review will be to take an objective look at the decisions and actions of the Gambling Commission and any other relevant regulators, to provide a clear account of how the company’s activities were regulated and identify if there are potential areas for improvement in how complex products are treated.

    Its findings will form part of the evidence informing the Government’s review of the Gambling Act 2005, which was announced in December 2020. The review is considering whether changes are needed to the regulatory framework around gambling, including the Commission’s powers and resources and how it uses them. It is also looking at how novel and complex products should be licensed and regulated.

    The Commission’s regulatory investigation into BetIndex Ltd is continuing. This independent review is separate to that investigation and will be carried out and report in a way which will not compromise it. It will also be without prejudice to the ongoing administration proceedings, which among other things are looking at assets and liabilities of the company and recompense to customers.

    Further details of the independent reviewer and terms of reference will be announced in due course. It is intended that the review will report publicly in the summer and will inform the wider Gambling Act Review. The Government aim to produce a White Paper setting out their findings from the review of the Gambling Act 2005 by the end of the year.