The most searched questions about Lisa Nandy and culture policy — answered with data.
Why is the BBC licence fee going up?
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The BBC licence fee rose from £174.50 to £180.00 in April 2026, the first increase since 2022. DCMS linked the rise to the BBC's obligation to fund the World Service, local radio, and online services. The BBC Charter review — which would determine the future funding model — has been delayed to 2028. Linear TV viewership is declining but iPlayer and BBC Sounds usage is growing.
What does the Football Regulator do?
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The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) launched in 2025, with powers to licence professional football clubs, assess financial sustainability, and ensure owners meet fit and proper person tests. It covers Premier League, supporthip, and Leagues One and Two. The IFR's budget of £22m is funded through a levy on clubs, which ultimately passes costs to fans via ticket prices and broadcast deals.
Why are local newspapers closing?
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74 local newspapers closed in 2025, a 23% increase year-on-year. The structural cause is the collapse of local print advertising revenue, which has migrated to Google and Meta. The Local Media Fund provides £90m, but the Press Gazette estimates £500m+ is needed to stabilise the sector. The government's Online Safety Act has not yet required platforms to share advertising revenue with local publishers.
What is the gambling levy?
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The statutory gambling levy was set at 0.1% of gross gambling yield (GGY) in 2026, generating approximately £100m for research, education, and treatment. The Gambling Commission recommended 1% GGY, which would generate £1bn annually. Critics say the underfunded levy leaves addiction services severely under-resourced while gambling advertising on social media has increased 34%.
How does the UK compare culturally to other nations?
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The UK remains the world's second-largest cultural exporter after the US, with film, TV, music, and games generating £32.1bn in 2025/26 (target £35bn). The creative industries employ 2.4 million people and contribute 6% of GDP. However, cultural exports growth has slowed from +12% in 2022/23 to +7% in 2025/26. France, South Korea, and Germany are closing the gap in film and gaming exports.