Written questions by French.

What support her Department is providing to early years providers in the private sector to mitigate the impact of increases to employer National Insurance contributions.

It is the government’s ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, improving the life chances for every child and the work choices for every parent. That also means ensuring the sector is financially sustainable and confident as it continues to deliver the entitlements and high quality early years provision going forward.That is why, despite tough decisions to get public finances back on track, the government is continuing to prioritise and invest, supporting early education and childcare providers with the costs they face.In the 2025/26 financial year alone, the department plans to spend over £8 billion on early years entitlements. We have also announced the largest ever uplift to the early years pupil premium, increasing the rate by over 45% compared to the 2024/25 financial year, equivalent to up to £570 per eligible child per year.On top of this, the department is providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the early years expansion grant to support the sector as it prepares to deliver the final phase of expanded childcare entitlements from September 2025, recognising the significant level of expansion needed and the effort and planning this will require. An additional £25 million is also being provided to public sector employers through the early years National Insurance contributions grant for 2025/26.Early years childcare providers may also benefit from the Employment Allowance. Employment Allowance is being increased to protect businesses by providing relief of up to £10,500 per annum on their employer Class 1 National Insurance contributions liabilities from 6 April 2025. Early years childcare providers are entitled to claim the Employment Allowance if they are private businesses or charities and the department expects the vast majority will be eligible to do so.

What recent discussions she has had with the Shadow Football Regulator on the regulation of businesses.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not held any discussions with the Shadow Football Regulator.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 33607 on Extracurricular Activities: Finance, what discussions she has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Education and (b) Chancellor of the Exchequer on the future of the School Games programme.

The Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport and the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth regularly meet with Ministerial counterparts from the Department for Education on a range of issues, including school sport.The School Games Organisers are essential in ensuring that all children have the opportunity to take part in local and accessible sport and physical activity. The Government has confirmed funding for the School Games Organisers (SGOs) until the end of the 2024/25 Academic Year. Funding beyond then will be confirmed in due course, with funding from April 2026 onwards subject to the ongoing Spending Review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March to Question 34943 on Gambling: Health Services, what steps he is taking to ensure the new commissioning programme is in place before the end of the voluntary levy period.

It is a priority for the Government that in this crucial transition period, valuable support and treatment services for those experiencing gambling-related harm are protected. To minimise any disruption, operators must continue to provide financial contributions at their current levels until the levy is in force. The Government has received assurances from industry that this will be delivered.Following the appointment of lead commissioning bodies for research, prevention, and treatment under the statutory levy, all continue to work at pace to design the future commissioning programmes, and to ensure that there is no break in the provision of services. Spending decisions will be confirmed in due course.

Media and Sport, if she will publish the criteria used to appoint senior members of the (a) Shadow Football Regulator and (b) Independent Football Regulator.

All senior staff appointments to the Shadow Football Regulator have followed the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and this will continue to be the case once the regulator is legally established; however, the criteria used for selection will always be dependent on the role being advertised. The Chief Executive Officer will be appointed by the Chair following a fair and open competition expected later this year.The assessment criteria for the appointments of the Chair and Non-Executive Directors were advertised on the government appointments website. The process is being run in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Media and Sport, whether her Department is restructuring loans issued under the (a) Culture Recovery Fund, (b) Sport Survival Package and (c) Rugby Football League Loan Scheme.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) assesses any loan reprofiling requests on a case by case basis, working alongside our Loan Agents, who continuously monitor the financial performance of borrowers. Requests will be considered where borrowers demonstrate evidence of need and have exhausted other funding routes. The Department has reprofiled individual loans of fewer than five borrowers (<5%) under the Culture Recovery Fund, Sport Survival Package and Rugby Football League Loan Scheme.DCMS is not able to comment on specific cases.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to football ticket prices on grassroots participation.

The matter of football ticket prices is a commercial decision for individual clubs and leagues to take. The Government has introduced legislation to establish an Independent Football Regulator to protect and promote the sustainability of English football in the interests of fans and the local communities football clubs serve. This will mean that clubs are required to consult fans on key issues, including ticket prices.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34945 on Freedom of Expression, if she will make an assessment of the compatibility of the Youth Parliament’s statement in its manifesto 2024-26 that freedom of speech should be balanced against the rights of others, and the law should better reflect this, with the Government commitment to freedom of speech.

The Government is clear that everyone has a fundamental right to freedom of speech. People are expected to express their views concerning respectfully including exercising the appropriate restraints within the confines of the law when providing criticism. All language adopted by Government must be accurate and acknowledge British citizens’ unchanging right to freedom of speech and expression.

Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the number of problem gamblers not receiving treatment between the ending of the voluntary gambling levy period and the distribution of funds collected under the statutory levy.

It is a priority that in this crucial transition period, valuable support and treatment services for those experiencing gambling-related harm are protected. To ensure there is no disruption, operators must continue to provide financial contributions at their current levels until the levy is in force, and we have received reassurances from the industry that this will be delivered.In addition, following the end of the current funding arrangement in line with the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) SR code 3.1.1, the levy will come into force in April this year with funding flowing for research, prevention and treatment as soon as possible. We will ensure funding is directed in a way which protects key services as the new support and treatment system is established.

Media and Sport, what data her Department holds on the number of gambling-related complaints filed with the Gambling Commission in 2024.

The Gambling Commission publishes annual and quarterly data on the type and number of complaints received to the Gambling Commission Contact Centre on their website. In 2024 the Gambling Commission received 6896 complaints.

Media and Sport, how much funding her Department allocated to gambling addiction support services in the financial year 2025-26.

As set out in the Government’s response to the consultation on the statutory levy, the levy will come into force in April 2025 and 50% of levy funding (up to £50 million) will be allocated to NHS services in England, and the appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, for support and treatment services in the financial year 2025/26.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the continuation of the Future of Cricket Fund.

The Secretary of State regularly discusses Departmental spending with HM Treasury Ministers. Future funding of sports facilities will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to treatment tariffs on the ability of Community Diagnostic Centres to provide care.

As set out in the Plan for Change, we will ensure that 92% of patients return to waiting no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015.We have delivered an additional two million appointments between July and November 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, seven months ahead of schedule. This includes operations, consultations, diagnostic tests, and treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endoscopy.The consultation on proposals for the 2025/26 NHS Payment Scheme closed on 28 February 2025. NHS England is currently reviewing the feedback received, including the aligned payment and incentive mechanism for community diagnostic centres (CDCs). NHS England will confirm decisions about the final scheme as soon as possible.Diagnostic activity continues to be undertaken in non-CDC settings, as well as in CDCs. As set out in the consultation, NHS England has proposed that the same payment approach is used for all diagnostic activity to ensure that the payment system is not a barrier to delivery.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that sporting events held in the UK are accessible for people with disabilities.

We remain committed to delivering international events with pride, showcasing the UK’s expertise, generating significant socio-economic benefits and inspiring the next generation’s talent. We expect any bids to host major sporting events which are seeking government support to provide evidence that accessibility has been considered from the earliest stage.The Government's expert arm’s-length body, UK Sport, has committed to consult on the accessibility of ticketing to major events, with a view of protecting the social and cultural value of live sport to all communities across the UK as part of their strategy Making Live Sport Matter. In order to support the delivery of the strategy, UK Sport are currently working with partners with expertise on accessibility to drive understanding and best practice. This is in addition to work taking place on trialling spectator communication resources at events for visually impaired and blind visitors.The Sports Ground Safety Authority, a Government arm’s-length body and the world leader in stadium safety, has published a free Accessible Stadia document and Supplementary Guidance to help deliver high-quality grounds with facilities and services that are accessible, inclusive and welcoming for all.The Government has also ratified the St Denis Convention, reinforcing our commitment to providing an integrated safety, security and service approach at football matches and other sports events. Ensuring that all fans are able to participate is a key element of service, and something we will continue to champion.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that gambling harms charities are funded from the end of the voluntary levy period until the introduction of the statutory levy.

It is a priority that in this crucial transition period, the valuable experience and services in the current system are protected. We are clear that operators must continue to provide financial contributions at their current levels until the levy is in force, and have received reassurances from the industry that this will be delivered. The levy will come into force in April this year with funding flowing for research, prevention and treatment as soon as possible. We are clear that levy funding will be directed to ensure the third sector continues to play a key role across the future system.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that the hosting of (a) the Commonwealth Games and (b) other international sporting events results in long-term benefits to local communities.

This Government recognises the significant economic and social benefits major sporting events provide to the UK. UK Sport, our expert arm’s-length body, works with those hosting major sporting events to ensure they all have a robust social impact and legacy plan, and an evaluation to help identify and quantify those socio-economic benefits.The UK has been proud to host the Commonwealth Games twice since 2014, and the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games delivered at least £1.2bn economic value to the UK.The Glasgow 2026 Organising Company has confirmed that delivery of the Games will include £6 million of facility investment into the city's existing sporting venues, including a new athletics track at Scotstoun Stadium and upgrades to Tollcross International Swimming Centre, which will benefit local communities. It is also anticipated that 3,000 volunteers - the vast majority of which are expected to be from Glasgow - will be recruited and trained. The Organising Company is also working with city partners on a Glasgow cultural programme. I recently met with the CEO and Chair of Glasgow 26 and attended the launch of the Kings Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, and will continue to engage and support on plans for the successful delivery of the Games.In 2028, the UK and Ireland will host UEFA EURO 2028. It will be the biggest sporting event the UK and Ireland have ever jointly hosted. Government and Football Partners are committing c.£45m to a central Legacy and Impact fund, which will deliver socio-economic benefits for communities across the UK and Ireland.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that charities in the United Kingdom are supported during periods of financial hardship.

This Government recognises the vital role that charities play up and down the country, by providing crucial support to different groups and communities.DCMS supports charities in several ways. This includes delivery of a number of grant schemes, such as the £25.5m Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Energy Efficiency Scheme, which is supporting frontline organisations across England to improve their energy efficiency and sustainability.Support for charities is also available through social investment which provides access to grants, repayable finance and a blend of the two. This government is continuing to look at how dormant assets can be used to support the availability of finance to facilitate VCSEs becoming more entrepreneurial and financially resilient. An estimated £350 million will flow into the Dormant Assets Scheme between 2024-28, with details on how this money will be distributed to be provided in due course.Within the tax system, we provide support to charities through a range of reliefs and exemptions, including reliefs for charitable giving. The tax reliefs available to charities are a vital element in supporting charitable causes across the UK, with more than £6 billion in charitable reliefs provided to charities. The biggest individual reliefs provided are Gift Aid at £1.6 billion and business rates relief at nearly £2.4 billion.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the United Kingdom continues to host international sporting events beyond 2035.

The Government remains committed to delivering major international sporting events with pride - building upon the UK’s global reputation for excellence in event delivery. - and seeking new opportunities to do so.We recognise that major events deliver significant economic and social benefits as well as an opportunity to showcase the UK globally. We look forward to delivering a series of major events before the end of the decade, including the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, the European Athletics Championships, Invictus Games, Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup and Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2026,the UEFA European Championships in 2028, and the men’s T20 Cricket World Cup in 2030.The Government is working with UK Sport and other partners in order to identify and secure major sporting event targets into the future, in order to to build a pipeline of events up until 2035 and beyond. This includes supporting a potential UK bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Media and Sport, when the National Physical Activity Taskforce (a) last met and (b) next plans to meet; and whether she plans to update the terms of reference of that taskforce.

This Government has set out a bold and ambitious agenda for change and sport has an important role to play in delivering this. Sport and physical activity are central to delivering the Government's health mission as being physically active is good for both our physical and mental health.The National Physical Activity Taskforce (NPAT) was established under the previous government. The NPAT last met on Wednesday 25 March 2024 and we have no plans to reconvene that group.Instead, as a mission led Government we intend to work through the Health Mission Board to bring together a range of Departments to tackle fundamental issues including high levels of inactivity; and with the sector to secure their support. We will be setting out our holistic approach as part of the Spending Review process.

When the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will begin to distribute funding generated from the statutory Gambling Levy.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is progressing work on the design of the new commissioning programme to prevent gambling related harms, alongside counterparts in Scotland and Wales, and is working closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and HM Treasury. Decisions on how the levy will be governed will be confirmed in due course.