Russian Assets Seizure
Sir John Whittingdale I start by congratulating my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith), who raises very important issues. The truth is that we probably will not be able to implement what we are discussing until the Russian invasion is defeated, but it is absolutely right that […]
UK Soft Power
Sir John Whittingdale asked the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs about how the UK is investing in its soft power capabilities, through increasing funding for the BBC World Service, The British Council and the scholarship and fellowship programmes.
Integrated Review Refresh
John Whittingdale Does my right hon. Friend agree that soft power can often be as effective as hard power, if not more so, and that it is usually a lot cheaper? I therefore strongly welcome the additional funding for the BBC World Service, but will he go on to look at strengthening the support for […]
Telegraph Article- BBC Impartiality
Forget politics- Gary did not play by the BBC’s rules The row over Gary Lineker’s tweets is not about the right to free speech. Lineker is as entitled to his views as anyone else, even if some will have found his references to Nazi Germany deeply offensive. However, by accepting extremely well-paid employment from the […]
BBC Mid-term Review
Sir John Whittingdale When she plans to publish the BBC mid-term review. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and SportLucy Frazer I know that my right hon. Friend has a keen interest in this matter and a great deal of knowledge on it. I was pleased to discuss this matter, and a number of others, […]
Update on National Grid’s East Anglia Green Proposal
Sir John Whittingdale welcomes the establishment of a review of the options for new grid connections in East Anglia, which will include the possibility of an offshore transmission route, having previously expressed his concern at the potential impact a new line of 400kV pylons would have on the countryside and local environment. Particularly in Margaretting, […]
Civil Service Impartiality
Sir John Whittingdale Is my right hon. Friend aware that on my appointment as a Minister, I, like many Members, was advised by Sue Gray on the steps that I needed to take in order to avoid any perception of a potential conflict of interest? Does he therefore understand why her appointment has caused such […]
Energy Bills Support Alternative Fund
The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Fund, for households that have not received the automatic discount, is now live. There are a large number of constituents in Maldon and the surrounding towns and villages who live in park homes and do not have residential electricity supplies, and have not qualified for the automatic monthly payments […]
Ukraine
Sir John Whittingdale My right hon. Friend referred to the importance of holding Russia to account for its crimes. He will be aware of the action that is already under way in both the International Criminal Court and in the Ukrainian judicial system, but can he confirm that the Government now support the establishment of […]
Security Threat to UK-Based Journalists
Sir John Whittingdale My right hon. Friend will be aware that Iran has one of the worst media freedom records in the world. When the Government press the Government of Iran over the outrageous threats made against Iran International, will they also raise the question of the continuing persecution of family members of BBC Persian […]