Oliver Dowden MP: written questions
332 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Film and Television: Self-employedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119927More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support industry-led training and workforce infrastructure in the freelance screen workforce.
Answer: The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out our approach to developing a high-quality and targeted skills and training offer, meeting the workforce requirements of the creative industries. This includes responding to the rapid changes in the screen secto...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: StaffDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119926More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to on-set mentorship on training and skills transfer on the film and television industry.
Answer: The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out our approach to developing a high-quality and targeted skills and training offer, meeting the workforce requirements of the creative industries. This includes responding to the rapid changes in the screen secto...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: StaffDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119925More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support industry-led workforce development initiatives to provide consistent training and progression pathways across the UK screen sector.
Answer: The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out our approach to developing a high-quality and targeted skills and training offer, meeting the workforce requirements of the creative industries. This includes responding to the rapid changes in the screen secto...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: Self-employedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119924More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to improve accessibility and reduce financial barriers to training and career progression within the freelance screen workforce.
Answer: The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out our approach to developing a high-quality and targeted skills and training offer, meeting the workforce requirements of the creative industries. This includes responding to the rapid changes in the screen secto...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: Self-employedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119923More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help retain experienced freelance technicians in the UK screen sector.
Answer: The Department of Culture, Media and Sport recognises that the freelance workforce is crucial to the success of the UK's world-leading creative industries, including the screen sector, but we understand that many self-employed workers in the creative indu...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: Self-employedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119922More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of skills and knowledge retention within the freelance film and high-end television workforce.
Answer: The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out our approach to developing a high-quality and targeted skills and training offer, meeting the workforce requirements of the creative industries. This includes responding to the rapid changes in the screen secto...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: Self-employedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119921More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the development of standardised skills frame-works and transferable accreditation systems for freelance technical roles in the UK screen industries.
Answer: The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out our approach to developing a high-quality and targeted skills and training offer, meeting the workforce requirements of the creative industries. This includes responding to the rapid changes in the screen secto...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: StaffDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119920More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) effectiveness of screen industry training pathways and (b) potential merits of additional support for industry-led, on-set training frameworks d
Answer: The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out our approach to developing a high-quality and targeted skills and training offer, meeting the workforce requirements of the creative industries. This includes responding to the rapid changes in the screen secto...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: Self-employedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119919More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has held with industry stakeholders on the potential for reinvestment mechanisms, such as sector-wide training and workforce support funds, to help improve the lon
Answer: The Department of Culture, Media and Sport recognises that the freelance workforce is crucial to the success of the UK's world-leading creative industries, including the screen sector, but we understand that many self-employed workers in the creative indu...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: StaffDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119918More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to improve financial stability for film and television workers during periods of production slowdown.
Answer: The Department of Culture, Media and Sport recognises that the freelance workforce is crucial to the success of the UK's world-leading creative industries, including the screen sector, but we understand that many self-employed workers in the creative indu...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: Self-employedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119917More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of income volatility among freelance workers in the film and high-end television sector.
Answer: The Department of Culture, Media and Sport recognises that the freelance workforce is crucial to the success of the UK's world-leading creative industries, including the screen sector, but we understand that many self-employed workers in the creative indu...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildcare: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119916More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered (a) reviewing tax relief eligibility for childcare costs for freelancers in irregular employment sectors such as film and television and (b) enabling greater flexibility in the
Answer: It is our ambition that families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, improving opportunity for every child and work choices for every parent. This is key to the government’s Plan for Change, which starts with rea...
Answered 20 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm and Television: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119915More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing tax breaks for the training budgets of craft organisations in the film and high-end television sector.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of the film and high‑end television sector, including the highly skilled craft workforce that underpins its success. The Government supports film and high‑end television productions through the Audio‑Visual Expendi...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDrax Power StationDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119914More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders in the last month on the a) termination of the Drax power station contract, b) issuing of a licensing penalty and c) suitabi
Answer: Government has not had any such discussions with stakeholders.
Answered 20 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: HorsesDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119364More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to raise awareness of equestrian safety among new and existing drivers.
Answer: The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses including the introduction of a hierarchy of road users. Following these updates the Department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpeed Limits: HorseridingDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119363More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her department has made of the potential merits of implementing clear rules on the speed and distance vehicles must maintain when passing horse riders.
Answer: The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to include changes to improve safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses, including guidance on safe passing distances and speeds and the introduction of a hierarchy of road users. The advice on safe passing ...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordClarion Housing Group: ComplaintsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119362More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure tenants living in Clarion Housing properties have issues resolved in an adequate and timely manner.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordClarion Housing Group: StandardsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119361More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure tenants living in Clarion Housing properties have adequate and safe homes.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRented Housing: StandardsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119360More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to raise the standards of rented properties in Hertsmere.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 115497 on 4 March 2026 and to the Written Ministerial Statement on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChristianity: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119359More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her international counterparts to protect the religious freedom of Christians across the globe.
Answer: The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. We recognise that every day, people around the world face persecution or discrimination on the basis of their religion or belief, including Christians. The UK's FoRB Strategy...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119358More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she has taken to strengthen the UK's international work to protect freedom of religion or belief.
Answer: The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. We recognise that every day, people around the world face persecution or discrimination on the basis of their religion or belief, including Christians. The UK's FoRB Strategy...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCybersecurityHome OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112936More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on the competitiveness and growth of the UK cyber security sector.
Answer: The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCybersecurityHome OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112935More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on UK cyber resilience, skills and innovation; and what impact the current framework has on the UK’s competitiveness compared
Answer: The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990...
Answered 24 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCybersecurityHome OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112934More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to proposed changes to the Computer Misuse Act 1990, whether she plans to ensure any potential statutory defence covers cybersecurity researchers who are conducting threat intelligence.
Answer: The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordFilm: Self-employedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112933More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support her Department is making available to freelancers in the film industry.
Answer: The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out how government will work with industry to develop a high quality and responsive training offer to meet the workforce requirements of the creative industries, including film as a frontier industry. This includes...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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