Culture, Media & Sport

The outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK saw the closure of places of worship, including churches, as part of measures to limit transmission of the virus. Churches were gradually reopened in June and July 2020. This article considers the ways in which churches and congregations were affected by this closure and the gradual reopening. It also summarises the discussion between the Government and religious bodies during this process.

This article explores changes to the entitlement to free TV licences for the over 75s, and how the timetable for implementing this has been extended because of the coronavirus outbreak.

While Covid-19 is expected to have a negative impact on UK tourism overall, the number of domestic tourists in the UK is expected to rise. This briefing considers the debate regarding the potential impact of increases in domestic tourism on seaside resorts.

Global organisations, such as the WHO, have expressed concern about the levels of fake news and disinformation that have spread during the coronavirus pandemic. This article looks at some examples of this disinformation, the Government’s response to it and the action that social media companies have taken to combat fake news and disinformation.

How will government policy support the re-opening of museums, galleries and historic buildings affected by the coronavirus pandemic? This briefing examines recent developments.

This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared ahead of a debate on 5 March 2020 in the House of Lords on the following motion: Lord Young of Norwood Green to move that this House takes note of the role of the BBC and public service broadcasting to the United Kingdom’s economy and creative culture.

In February 2020, the Conservative Government announced a consultation on whether non-payment of the TV licence fee should be decriminalised. This article summarises the arguments for and against decriminalisation and it provides statistics on license fee evasion prosecutions and imprisonments.

This House of Lords Library Briefing considers the evolution of online political advertising and details the legislative reforms that are being considered by the Government.

This House of Lords Library Briefing contains a selection of material relevant for the forthcoming question for short debate on the Cairncross Review on 6 February 2020.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information on the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill [HL], ahead of its second reading in the House of Lords on 3 February 2020.

This House of Lords Library Briefing has been published ahead of day 3 of the Lords debate on the December 2019 Queen’s Speech, covering the following subjects: economic affairs, business and public services

This House of Lords Library Briefing contains a selection of material relevant for the forthcoming question for short debate on gaming and gambling that takes place on 5 November 2019.