Contributions
676 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDInternet Access for Households and BusinessesThe progress with which we have commenced the roll-out of gigabit broadband across the UK has been exemplary. Just last week, I held a roundtable with telecommunications providers…07 Jul 2022HANSARDInternet Access for Households and BusinessesHundreds of premises in rural areas across my hon. Friend’s constituency, which I know well, have received gigabit-capable connections through the voucher scheme, but, as she…07 Jul 2022HANSARDInternet Access for Households and BusinessesOnly 97.5% of premises in England and 95% in West Worcestershire can access superfast broadband of at least 30 megabits per second. We are now bringing forward investment of £5…07 Jul 2022HANSARDGigabit Broadband Rollout: Rural and Urban CommunitiesI thank my hon. Friend for the work he continually contributes to this area and as Chair of the Select Committee, and he is absolutely right. The manifesto commitment was for 100%…07 Jul 2022HANSARDGigabit Broadband Rollout: Rural and Urban CommunitiesYes, I am afraid that question does not relate to gigabit broadband roll-out.07 Jul 2022HANSARDGigabit Broadband Rollout: Rural and Urban CommunitiesThrough Project Gigabit we are ensuring that hard-to-reach areas of the UK gain access to world-class gigabit connectivity alongside delivering gigabit broadband to the rest of…07 Jul 2022HANSARDNewsquest/Archant MergerOn 18 March 2022, local news publisher Newsquest Media Group Ltd acquired Archant Community Media Ltd. On 26 April the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport wrote to…29 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationLet’s do a shout-out for Channel 4. “Derry Girls”, “First Dates”, “Gogglebox”—there are so many fantastic programmes that Channel 4 produces. That is not in doubt and not in…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationI will go on to talk about the fact that we have many bidders who are looking at purchasing Channel 4, and we are looking at all options before we bring the matter to Parliament…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationWe have published a comprehensive response to the consultation, in line with the format used by all Departments in response to consultations—that has already been done. Our “Up…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationAs someone who has worked in the industry, my hon. Friend is deeply knowledgeable about how Channel 4 and the industry works. As I said in a previous answer, “Up Next”, the…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationLevelling up is one of this Government’s primary objectives. We will be looking at bidders interested in purchasing Channel 4 to see whether they meet our levelling-up objective,…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationIn selling Channel 4 we are seeking to protect Channel 4 so that it continues to make distinctive British content and to function as a PSB, but when we sell it, the question will…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationOur responsibility is to consider the long-term sustainability and future of Channel 4. As a responsible Government, we are prepared to acknowledge those challenges head-on, and…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationIt is exactly as my hon. Friend has outlined. The hon. Member for Manchester Central asked me what Channel 4 said, and one of its responses was that it wants to raise money. It…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationWe agree on many things, and we agree on that.14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationThe question of Channel 4’s long-term sustainability is hardly a new challenge. I am not the first Secretary of State to seriously consider whether private ownership is ultimately…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationThe impression given is that Channel 4, as a result of being sold, will cease to exist. That is not the case. Those independent production companies are actually overloaded with…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationI could not agree more. Labour may not like to hear it, its refusal to even engage with the profound changes in the broadcast landscape is further evidence that it does not have a…14 Jun 2022HANSARD Channel 4 PrivatisationWe are not getting into a discussion, and I am going to make some more progress. [Interruption.] I am happy to take interventions when I have made some progress. Secondly, we are…14 Jun 2022