Topical Questions

Jo Platt (Leigh and Atherton) (Lab/Co-op) asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy, responded that the government has opened the books to find a legacy of "violent indifference and neglect" of arts and culture, which has created serious challenges for the creative industries. She stated that the government's international investment summit this week put creative industries at the heart of the economic strategy, resulting in £63 billion of investment into the UK. Nandy also said she will launch a new covenant with civil society partners to reset the relationship that had become "needlessly antagonistic" under the previous government. In a follow-up, Jo Platt welcomed the government's announcement of tax reliefs to create jobs and boost the creative industries, highlighting the success of the Wigan & Leigh short film festival in her constituency as an example of the vibrant film and TV culture. However, the Speaker noted that Topical Questions should be short and punchy, not a long question. The shadow Secretary of State, Julia Lopez (Hornchurch and Upminster) (Con), questioned whether the Secretary of State believes that "good vibes" are more important than good policy, and asked if Nandy is among the "panicked Ministers" who have written to the Chancellor about the Budget and their spending asks. Nandy responded that she does not need to write to the Chancellor, as they have a close relationship and discuss matters directly. In a further follow-up, Lopez said some DCMS stakeholders who attended the investment summit were worried, seeing a government that "milks their stardust" but imposes new taxes and regulations, and delays decisions. Nandy defended the government's actions, stating that they are "fixing the problems" created by the previous government. Other interventions included Peter Prinsley (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket) (Lab) congratulating cyclists who raised £200,000 in memory of those killed in a 1974 plane crash, and Richard Holden (Basildon and Billericay) (Con) raising the issue of women being criminalised for non-payment of the BBC licence fee, which Nandy said the government will consider in the upcoming charter review.