Written questions by Maskell.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the (a) English Football League and (b) Premier League on the potential impact of the new deal financial package on grassroots football.

Ministers continue to discuss a distributions deal with the Premier League and EFL on a regular basis, with a clear expectation that any agreement should provide meaningful support across the football pyramid, including grassroots football. While the Football Governance Bill includes a backstop power for the independent regulator to intervene if a deal cannot be reached, this would only apply to distributions between the leagues. As such, Ministers continue to emphasise the importance of a voluntary agreement that delivers broader benefits, including investment in grassroots facilities and programmes.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the (a) English Football League and (b) National League on equal opportunity for promotions to the football league for non-league clubs.

We recognise the strength of feeling within the National League regarding promotion arrangements to the EFL and understand the desire for greater opportunities for clubs to progress through the football pyramid. The competitiveness and sustainability of the league system are important considerations, and we appreciate the views of all stakeholders on this issue.While promotion and relegation structures are ultimately a matter for the leagues themselves, we remain engaged with the football authorities on broader discussions about the future of the game.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of voluntary tourist levies organised by Accommodation Business Improvement Districts.

DCMS recognises the interest from local areas in exploring ways to support and sustain their visitor economies, including through the use of voluntary tourist levies.Tourist levies organised by Accommodation Business Improvement Districts, such as those piloted in Manchester and being explored in other parts of the country, are locally driven initiatives that enable participating businesses to pool resources to fund tourism-related services and improvements. While these schemes are still relatively new, DCMS is monitoring their development and engaging with stakeholders to understand their impact.DCMS has had a range of discussions with local leaders, including directly elected Mayors, about the tools available to support tourism. While the introduction of statutory tourist levies would be a matter for wider cross-government consideration, DCMS is continuing to engage with local authorities and Combined Authorities to understand their ambitions and ensure the sector remains sustainable and competitive.

Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with directly elected Mayors on the devolution of powers for tourist levies.

DCMS recognises the interest from local areas in exploring ways to support and sustain their visitor economies, including through the use of voluntary tourist levies.Tourist levies organised by Accommodation Business Improvement Districts, such as those piloted in Manchester and being explored in other parts of the country, are locally driven initiatives that enable participating businesses to pool resources to fund tourism-related services and improvements. While these schemes are still relatively new, DCMS is monitoring their development and engaging with stakeholders to understand their impact.DCMS has had a range of discussions with local leaders, including directly elected Mayors, about the tools available to support tourism. While the introduction of statutory tourist levies would be a matter for wider cross-government consideration, DCMS is continuing to engage with local authorities and Combined Authorities to understand their ambitions and ensure the sector remains sustainable and competitive.

Media and Sport, if she will consider setting up a national community-led tourism network to work with local visitor economy partnerships.

DCMS recognises the importance of local communities and their representatives in shaping a thriving, sustainable visitor economy and the need for their voices to be reflected in local and national decision-making.The government expects local authorities and tourist boards to engage a broad range of stakeholders (including residents, businesses, and cultural institutions) when developing tourism strategies. This principle of broad representation is embedded in the accreditation criteria for Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), which are designed to support more coordinated, inclusive and resilient tourism leadership across England.DCMS recently established the Visitor Economy Advisory Council to bring together industry leaders, regional voices and expert advisers to inform policy and ensure that the sector's growth is inclusive and sustainable. DCMS’ upcoming Growth Strategy for the visitor economy will consider how best to support the sector’s development, including the role of LVEPs - ensuring a coordinated approach to driving growth across destinations and sectors.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of local community representation on tourist economy advisory boards.

DCMS recognises the importance of local communities and their representatives in shaping a thriving, sustainable visitor economy and the need for their voices to be reflected in local and national decision-making.The government expects local authorities and tourist boards to engage a broad range of stakeholders (including residents, businesses, and cultural institutions) when developing tourism strategies. This principle of broad representation is embedded in the accreditation criteria for Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), which are designed to support more coordinated, inclusive and resilient tourism leadership across England.DCMS recently established the Visitor Economy Advisory Council to bring together industry leaders, regional voices and expert advisers to inform policy and ensure that the sector's growth is inclusive and sustainable. DCMS’ upcoming Growth Strategy for the visitor economy will consider how best to support the sector’s development, including the role of LVEPs - ensuring a coordinated approach to driving growth across destinations and sectors.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of teams promoted to from National League into the English Football League.

I recognise the strength of feeling within the National League regarding promotion arrangements to the EFL and understand the desire for greater opportunities for clubs to progress through the football pyramid. The competitiveness and sustainability of the league system are important considerations, and the Government appreciates the views of all stakeholders on this issue.While promotion and relegation structures are ultimately a matter for the leagues themselves, we remain engaged with the football authorities on broader discussions about the future of the game.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure the financial sustainability of charities.

This government recognises the vital role that charities have played in providing, often life-saving work in our society in increasingly difficult circumstances.DCMS is supporting charities with their financial sustainability in a number of ways. DCMS del...

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with representatives of charities on the funding of organisations that provide clubs for the elderly.

This government recognises the vital role that charities play up and down the country, providing crucial support to different groups across society, including the elderly.DCMS is supporting charities with their financial sustainability in a number of ways...

Media and Sport, whether she (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions with representatives of clubs for the elderly that are closing in autumn 2024 on their (i) financial situation and (ii) role in providing

This government recognises the vital role that charities play up and down the country, providing crucial support to different groups across society, including the elderly.DCMS is supporting charities with their financial sustainability in a number of ways...

Media and Sport, what progress she has made in establishing a network of youth hubs; and what steps she is taking to support existing youth provision to work with youth hubs.

This Government is committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential and we recognise the importance of early intervention to ensure young people can live safe and healthy lives.Fundamental to this is the delivery of the Young ...

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of rejoining Creative Europe.

Our arts and creative industries significantly bolster the UK’s economic prosperity, contributing 5.7% of the UK’s total Gross Value Add in 2022 (£124.6 billion). These sectors enrich citizens’ lives, and play a vital role in presenting the UK as an attractive location to visit and invest.The Government is dedicated to fostering their growth and improving the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU by dismantling unnecessary barriers to trade and will explore all funding options and opportunities for the arts and creative industries. We recognise that this will take time.This Government is ambitious and wants to move forward as fast as possible, in line with our clear manifesto priorities for the creative and cultural sectors around supporting touring artists and facilitating cultural exchange.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Secretary of State for the Home Department on (a) tours in European Union countries by UK musicians and (b) tours in the UK by musicians and artists from European Union countries.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is committed to working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Home Office, Cabinet Office and other relevant Whitehall departments to address key issues for our outstanding world-class musicians and performing artists on areas such as visas and the movement of goods.We seek to reset the relationship with our European friends, neighbours and allies. We recognise that strengthening the relationship will take time, but this Government is ambitious and wants to move forward as fast as possible, in line with our clear manifesto priorities in relation to the creative and cultural sectors.

Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to help support locations that are on the tentative list for designation as a world heritage site.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is actively engaging with all the sites on the UK's Tentative List, which includes regular check-in meetings and the provision of specific guidance on both UK Government and UNESCO processes for nominations.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete being present on heritage buildings that serve as (a) museums and (b) galleries; and if she will take steps to support their restoration.

Individual building owners are responsible for health and safety, including responding to safety alerts such as reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). DCMS is in regular contact with museum and gallery sector bodies, who have consulted their members and report that RAAC is not a widespread issue.The department funds the Museum Estate and Development Fund through Arts Council England. The Fund makes substantial grants of up to £5 million to support infrastructure works and repairs, and RAAC mitigation works are eligible. DCMS Arm’s Length Bodies also provide a variety of Capital funds, resilience grant schemes, and expert buildings advice to the museums sector.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the introduction of a tourism tax.

We have no plans to introduce a tourism tax.

Media and Sport, if she will take steps to introduce a licensing scheme for short term holiday lets.

Short-term lets are an integral part of the UK’s visitor accommodation offer. The government is clear that they bring a range of benefits to local and national economies.The government also recognises that communities in tourism destinations, particularly coastal and rural communities, must be able to benefit from thriving tourism but ensure the spirit of their community is preserved when holiday season ends.Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The government is continuing to explore the introduction of such a scheme, which is now a statutory requirement.