Every parliamentary written question tabled by Louie French this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 201–220 of 307 · this parliament
How many and what proportion of Gift Aid claims have been rejected in each of the last five years.
The average processing times for Gift Aid claims over the last five tax years are below: Tax YearAverage Working Days to Pay06/04/2024to05/04/20253.1606/04/2023to05/04/20243.2406/04/2022to05/04/20232.8406/04/2021to05/04/20223.4906/04/2020to05/04/20214.08 HMRC does not hold information centrally on what proportion of Gift Aid claims have been rejected in each of the last five years.
What the average processing time was for Gift Aid claims in each of the last five years.
The average processing times for Gift Aid claims over the last five tax years are below: Tax YearAverage Working Days to Pay06/04/2024to05/04/20253.1606/04/2023to05/04/20243.2406/04/2022to05/04/20232.8406/04/2021to05/04/20223.4906/04/2020to05/04/20214.08 HMRC does not hold information centrally on what proportion of Gift Aid claims have been rejected in each of the last five years.
Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that children have access to (a) safe and (b) welcoming spaces for (i) play and (ii) sport within their communities.
Playgrounds are a vital part of our social infrastructure. They contribute to the health and development of children and young people across the nation and build on the Government’s mission of opportunities for all by ensuring everyone has the best start in life.The National Design Guide demonstrates how new development can promote inclusive design by creating buildings and spaces that are safe, social and inclusive. This should include spaces for comfort, relaxation and stimulation, including play.In addition, everyone should be able to take part in sport safely. National Governing Bodies (NGBs) are responsible for the regulation of their sports and for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm. Whilst NGBs are independent of Government, we are clear that health and safety of participants, including children, must be their top priority.The Government is investing £100 million through the Multi Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to build and upgrade high-quality grassroots sports pitches and facilities in the communities across the UK that need it most, including children and young people.On 20 June 2025, the Culture Secretary announced that following Spending Review, at least £400 million is going to be invested into new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities in communities right across the UK, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We will work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans.
Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of London Sport’s campaign entitled More Ball Games.
The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our arm’s length body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport at grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all as set out in its “Uniting the Movement” strategy.For 2022-27, London Sport received £14,644,735 from Sport England as System Partner investment to contribute to delivering Uniting the Movement. Sport England have not given money directly to fund the “More Ball Games” campaign, but London Sport have a degree of autonomy on how they allocate their System Partner funding to contribute to Uniting the Movement.Sport England will continue to work with its System Partners such as London Sport to increase opportunities for everyone to play grassroots sport and take part in physical activity.
Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to provide funding for London Sport’s campaign entitled More Ball Games.
The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our arm’s length body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport at grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all as set out in its “Uniting the Movement” strategy.For 2022-27, London Sport received £14,644,735 from Sport England as System Partner investment to contribute to delivering Uniting the Movement. Sport England have not given money directly to fund the “More Ball Games” campaign, but London Sport have a degree of autonomy on how they allocate their System Partner funding to contribute to Uniting the Movement.Sport England will continue to work with its System Partners such as London Sport to increase opportunities for everyone to play grassroots sport and take part in physical activity.
Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the limit on prizes for society lotteries.
Society lotteries are a vital fundraising tool for many charities, community groups, sports clubs and other non-commercial organisations. We want to see them continue to thrive, alongside the National Lottery.The Government has taken the decision not to make further changes or to abolish society lottery limits at this time. Independent research shows that the existing society lottery sales limit only impacts one operator and increasing the annual sales limit could result in a decrease in National Lottery participation.The Government wants a lotteries sector centred on one national lottery - The National Lottery - whilst continuing to support the hundreds of wider society lotteries that exist. This model has worked successfully for the last 30 years and created the conditions for the National Lottery to flourish and support life changing projects, alongside a thriving society lotteries sector.Further information on this can be found in a Written Ministerial Statement published on Thursday 26 June 2025.
Media and Sport, when she plans to publish the independent research into large-scale commercial prize draws.
Prize draws are a significant and growing market. We want people who participate in prize draws to be confident that proportionate protections are in place.We will be introducing a Voluntary Code for prize draw operators later this year. This Code will provide a uniform approach across the sector to strengthen player protections, increase transparency and improve accountability.This approach allows us to take swift action collectively with the sector. The success of this code will dictate whether this Government decides that greater regulation may be required, including legislation.Further information on this can be found in a Written Ministerial Statement published on Thursday 26 June 2025.The independent research into the prize draws sector was published on 26 June 2026 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-report-online-prize-draws-and-competitions-market-study-assessment-of-harm-and-review-of-potential-interventions). The research gathered views from lottery stakeholders on the perceived impact of the prize draw market on the lotteries sector, including the National Lottery, but did not make a full assessment of this impact.
Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the growth in unregulated large-scale prize draws on National Lottery ticket sales.
Prize draws are a significant and growing market. We want people who participate in prize draws to be confident that proportionate protections are in place.We will be introducing a Voluntary Code for prize draw operators later this year. This Code will provide a uniform approach across the sector to strengthen player protections, increase transparency and improve accountability.This approach allows us to take swift action collectively with the sector. The success of this code will dictate whether this Government decides that greater regulation may be required, including legislation.Further information on this can be found in a Written Ministerial Statement published on Thursday 26 June 2025.The independent research into the prize draws sector was published on 26 June 2026 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-report-online-prize-draws-and-competitions-market-study-assessment-of-harm-and-review-of-potential-interventions). The research gathered views from lottery stakeholders on the perceived impact of the prize draw market on the lotteries sector, including the National Lottery, but did not make a full assessment of this impact.
Media and Sport, when she plans to publish a timetable for consulting on the regulation of large-scale prize draws.
Prize draws are a significant and growing market. We want people who participate in prize draws to be confident that proportionate protections are in place.We will be introducing a Voluntary Code for prize draw operators later this year. This Code will provide a uniform approach across the sector to strengthen player protections, increase transparency and improve accountability.This approach allows us to take swift action collectively with the sector. The success of this code will dictate whether this Government decides that greater regulation may be required, including legislation.Further information on this can be found in a Written Ministerial Statement published on Thursday 26 June 2025.The independent research into the prize draws sector was published on 26 June 2026 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-report-online-prize-draws-and-competitions-market-study-assessment-of-harm-and-review-of-potential-interventions). The research gathered views from lottery stakeholders on the perceived impact of the prize draw market on the lotteries sector, including the National Lottery, but did not make a full assessment of this impact.
What the tariff rate per patient was for (a) CT, (b) MRI and (c) ultrasound scans delivered in community diagnostic centres on (ii) 1 March and (ii) 1 June 2025.
The community diagnostic centre (CDC) tariff price list has evolved to align with the national payment scheme from April 2025. Tariff prices in CDCs are now consistent with acute and primary care provision so that the cost of the delivery of diagnostics is equitable with the rest of the National Health Service. The payment scheme can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/2025-26-nhs-payment-scheme/The cost differential over the Spending Review 2021 period allowed CDCs under construction to be supported financially with the additional costs of setting up a new service. The following table shows the CDC price tariffs for 2024/25:Test typeTest name and descriptionPriceUltrasound (US) non-obstetric ultrasound (NOUS)US (NOUS) without contrast£52US (NOUS) with contrast£117Computed tomography (CT)CT with contrast£146CT without contrast£133Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)MRI without contrast£177MRI with contrast£264 In addition, the following table shows the 2025/26 national payment scheme prices:Test typeTest name and descriptionPriceUltrasound (US) non-obstetric ultrasound (NOUS)US (NOUS) without contrast (under 20 mins)£48US (NOUS) without contrast (over 20 mins)£61US (NOUS) with contrast (under 20 mins)£99US (NOUS) with contrast (over 20 mins)£111Computed tomography (CT)CT with contrast 1 area (Adult)£98CT with contrast 1 area (Paediatrics age 6 to 18 years old)£161CT with contrast 2 area£105CT with contrast 3 area£115CT non contrast 1 area (Adult)£78CT non contrast 1 area (Paediatrics age 6 to 18 years old)£132CT non contrast 2 area£85CT non contrast 3 area£94Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)MRI non contrast 1 area (Adult)£129MRI non contrast 1 area (Paediatric age 6 to 18 years old)£217MRI non contrast 2 area£155MRI non contrast more than 3 area£222MRI with contrast 1 area (Adult)£188MRI with contrast 1 area (Paediatric age 6 to 18 years old)£329
Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 55042 on Football Governance Bill (HL), what was discussed with UEFA on the Football Governance Bill at that meeting; and whether she plans to meet UEFA before the (a) third reading of the Football Governance Bill in the House of Commons and (b) independent football regulator is established.
The Secretary of State and I continue to meet with clubs, leagues, governing bodies, fan groups and many other stakeholders from across the game to discuss the Football Governance Bill. This will continue throughout the Bill’s passage and beyond.During my last discussion with UEFA on 11 November, we discussed a range of topics including the Football Governance Bill. UEFA expressed no concerns regarding the Bill.
Media and Sport, how many appointments have been made to the Shadow Football Regulator; and how many of these were previously employed in her Department (a) employees, (b) advisers and (c) appointees to DCMS-appointed Sports Advisory Groups in the last five years.
All appointments to the Shadow Football Regulator are made in accordance with Civil Service Commission rules. As at 1 June, the Shadow Football Regulator has 42 employees. 11 employees joined the Shadow Football Regulator having previously been employed in DCMS; two employees joined having formerly advised DCMS.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) the National Lottery Community Fund on the potential merits of reopening the Million Hours Fund.
In a written statement on 15 May 2025, the Secretary of State announced DCMS’ commitment to provide a further £12 million in 2025/2026 to the Million Hours Fund. Working in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, we are exploring matched funding options to leverage additional investment. Further details will be shared in due course.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the Youth Justice Sport Fund; and if she will reopen it.
I have not discussed the former Youth Justice Sport Fund with the Secretary of State for Justice and have no plans to reopen the fund.
Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2025 to Question 53237 on Football Governance Bill (HL), when she last met with UEFA to discuss the Football Governance Bill.
I last met with UEFA on 11 November, after the Football Governance Bill’s introduction to Parliament. This is in addition to the regular discussions that officials in my department have with UEFA.
Media and Sport, when she last met representatives of (a) the Premier League, (b) the English Football League, (c) the National League, (d) UEFA and (e) FIFA; and whether she discussed the Football Governance Bill at those meetings.
The Secretary of State and I have met with clubs, leagues, governing bodies, fan groups and many other stakeholders from across the game on numerous occasions to discuss the Football Governance Bill. Most recently, we held a series of meetings in March 2025 including with the Premier League, the English Football League and the National League. This is in addition to frequent, regular meetings that officials in my department have with these and other important stakeholders.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Education and (b) Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of the (i) Primary School PE and Sport Premium, (ii) Holiday Activities Fund and (iii) School Games Organiser Network on grassroots participation in sport amongst young people.
I regularly meet with Ministerial counterparts from the Department for Education on a range of issues, most recently meeting with the Minister for Schools about school sport in April 2025. Future funding on a range of sports initiatives will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.
Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with UEFA on the Football Governance Bill.
The Secretary of State and I have met with clubs, leagues, governing bodies, fan groups and many other stakeholders from across the game on numerous occasions to discuss the Football Governance Bill. Most recently, we held a series of meetings in March 2025 including with the Premier League, the English Football League and the National League. This is in addition to frequent, regular meetings that officials in my department have with these and other important stakeholders.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of a new Lionesses Futures Fund programme.
The Government recognises that sports clubs and facilities are important to communities up and down the country. High-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to them and opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.All future funding of sports facilities beyond 2025/26 will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of a new Football Foundation Facilities fund.
The Government recognises that sports clubs and facilities are important to communities up and down the country. High-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to them and opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.All future funding of sports facilities beyond 2025/26 will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.