Written questions by Hayes.

Media and Sport, if she will take steps to include provisions on banning leveraged buyouts of football clubs in the Football Governance Bill.

The Football Governance Bill was introduced to Parliament on 24 October 2024. The Bill delivers on our manifesto commitment to establish the independent football regulator and a new set of rules to protect clubs, empower fans and keep clubs at the heart of their communities.As part of the test for prospective new club owners, they will have to provide the Regulator with evidence they have sufficient financial resources to acquire a club. The Regulator will not approve a takeover if the acquiring party does not have sufficient funds and an appropriate plan to finance a club.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the competitiveness of the UK visual effects sector.

The UK is a global hub of talent and is home to many of the world’s biggest VFX studios. The UK’s visual effects (VFX) sector is highly competitive, competing successfully with production centres in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, South East Asia, and Europe, to secure substantial inward investment.The government is committed to supporting the UK’s visual effects industry, ensuring that they are able to remain competitive and with international reach. We will continue to focus on maintaining a strong and globally competitive sector by attracting new film and high-end TV productions that require our VFX and post-production studios; providing competitive tax incentives; investing in infrastructure; supporting innovation; working with industry on skills development; and promoting independent content. The government will continue to ensure our tax incentives are modern, agile, competitive and attractive.The government will continue to engage both with sector organisations like the UK Screen Alliance and with individual VFX studios to make sure the UK remains an attractive and competitive place to do business.Whilst DCMS Sector Economic Estimates provide high level figures for employment within the Creative Industries, DCMS does not hold this information for each creative sub sector. However, BFI’s most recent report estimates that the UK VFX sector directly employed 10,680 FTE in 2021. The same BFI report also estimates the total number of jobs supported by VFX, including indirect employment through the supply chain, was 27,430 FTE in 2021.

Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the number of people employed in the UK's visual effects sector.

The UK is a global hub of talent and is home to many of the world’s biggest VFX studios. The UK’s visual effects (VFX) sector is highly competitive, competing successfully with production centres in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, South East Asia, and Europe, to secure substantial inward investment.The government is committed to supporting the UK’s visual effects industry, ensuring that they are able to remain competitive and with international reach. We will continue to focus on maintaining a strong and globally competitive sector by attracting new film and high-end TV productions that require our VFX and post-production studios; providing competitive tax incentives; investing in infrastructure; supporting innovation; working with industry on skills development; and promoting independent content. The government will continue to ensure our tax incentives are modern, agile, competitive and attractive.The government will continue to engage both with sector organisations like the UK Screen Alliance and with individual VFX studios to make sure the UK remains an attractive and competitive place to do business.Whilst DCMS Sector Economic Estimates provide high level figures for employment within the Creative Industries, DCMS does not hold this information for each creative sub sector. However, BFI’s most recent report estimates that the UK VFX sector directly employed 10,680 FTE in 2021. The same BFI report also estimates the total number of jobs supported by VFX, including indirect employment through the supply chain, was 27,430 FTE in 2021.

Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to support the visual effects industry in the context of the competitive international market.

The government is committed to supporting the UK’s visual effects (VFX) industry, ensuring that they remain competitive and with international reach.The government will continue to ensure tax incentives are modern, agile, competitive and attractive.We will also continue to focus on maintaining a strong and globally competitive film and tv industry by supporting investment in infrastructure; fostering innovation; working with industry on skills development; and promoting independent content.The government will continue to engage with sector organisations such as the UK Screen Alliance to support and champion our award winning VFX talent and make the UK an attractive and competitive place to do business.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support emerging artists in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council area.

We are in the early stages of the new Government and we are considering the full range of policy options to support the arts and creative industries, and help the cultural sectors to thrive.This government is committed to supporting culture, and making sure the arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. We are working with Arts Council England and others to understand what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors. As part of the Government’s “Creating Growth” plan, DCMS is undertaking a review documenting current and past funding for the arts, culture, and heritage sectors.Arts Council England’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, is accessible to organisations and individuals across the country, including those in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council area. This programme provides over £100 million of support annually, and is open to new and emerging artists.