Contributions
3,240 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCovid-19: Arts SectorWe would accept that some freelancers have either believed that they are not eligible for these schemes or are not eligible. But we have announced considerable funding, and £378…15 Dec 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Arts SectorThe announcement on the London decision happened only yesterday, so I hope that my noble friend will give us a moment to work that through. However, Arts Council England has made…15 Dec 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Arts SectorThe Government have not been wasting their time. We have announced the largest support package for the cultural sector of £1.5 billion, which we think will sustain the cultural…15 Dec 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Arts SectorI can reassure the noble Viscount that we are looking in detail, with HMRC and the Treasury, at a range of reasons why self-employed people may be ineligible. That work is under…15 Dec 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Arts SectorThe Government recognise the tremendous efforts that many venues have gone to and we have a venues steering group, which is working through a number of these issues. We are…15 Dec 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Arts SectorThe Government share my noble friend’s sadness at the impact of the recent decisions on London theatres but, obviously, that decision was taken on public health grounds. Under the…15 Dec 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Arts SectorThe right reverend Prelate is absolutely right. The figures that I just gave to my noble friend Lord Black in relation to culture recovery fund recipients do not include the…15 Dec 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Arts SectorMy Lords, the Government recognise the significant challenge that the current pandemic poses to our arts sector and to the many individuals, including freelances, working across…15 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesThe noble Lord is right that there is no way to put a financial price on the pain that some families have suffered. We have a responsibility to listen to those families, take…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesI thank my noble friend for his remarks and his leadership of the committee in your Lordships’ House. He is, of course, absolutely right that legislation is not required to change…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesI thank both noble Lords for their welcome of the Statement and our call for evidence. I would like to pick up where the noble Lord, Lord Foster, finished, on the all-too-often…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesI thank the noble Baroness for raising that point. I am afraid we will have to look at what the evidence says in relation to the last part of her question about making it…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesI thank the noble Lord for his comments. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to assess the size of the black market as accurately as he would like, perhaps because of its very…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesI thank my noble friend for his brief question, and I will try to give an equally brief answer. We understand that the number of customers in VIP schemes has fallen by 70% since…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesThe Advertising Standards Authority has strict rules on gambling advertising that apply across the UK—so not just GB but also Northern Ireland. They make it clear that the…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesCompanies that avoid taxation illegally, whether they are gambling companies or any other companies, should be held to account for that. However, as the noble Lord is aware,…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesThe noble Baroness has raised serious issues and has made some interesting suggestions. To be fair, I think that the noble Baroness would agree that gambling advertising is…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesThe purpose of the review is to keep the balance. Of course we acknowledge that the vast majority of people who go out and place a bet—whether once a week, twice a year, or…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesThe right reverend Prelate raises an important point. He will be aware that, next year, Public Health England will report on its evidence review into gambling-related harm. That…14 Dec 2020HANSARDGambling and LotteriesThe noble Baroness raises important points about online gambling, which is one of the fastest-growing areas of gambling. We are looking at the case for increased protections…14 Dec 2020