The government is committed to supporting local and regional newspapers as vital pillars of communities and local democracy. They play an essential role in holding power to account, keeping the public informed of local issues and providing reliable, high-quality information. They also play a key role in democratic engagement - last year, government-commissioned research into the importance of newspapers to local communities found that changes in news provision and consumption over time had significant effects on participation in local elections in England, underlining the vital importance of a sustainable local news industry to a properly functioning democracy.

However, as the independent Cairncross Review into the future of journalism identified, society is increasingly moving online and local news publishers are facing significant challenges in transitioning to sustainable digital business models. The government agreed with the majority of the Review’s recommendations for supporting the sector, and has already taken steps to implement many of them. Most recently, the government response to the CMA market study into online platforms and digital advertising accepted the case for a new pro-competition regime for digital markets. At the heart of this will be a mandatory code of conduct to govern the relationships between dominant firms and those that rely on their services, including news publishers. The code will be a significant intervention in the government’s effort to support the sustainability of the news publishing industry, helping to rebalance the relationship between publishers and the online platforms on which they increasingly rely.

In addition, local newspapers have benefited from a number of other recent interventions, including the extension of business rates relief for local newspapers in England for an additional five years; the investment of £2 million in the Future News Fund; and the zero-rating of VAT on e-newspapers. During the pandemic, many newspapers have also benefited from a unique and unprecedented government advertising partnership, designed to deliver important messages to UK citizens. Newspapers received up to £35 million additional government advertising revenue as part of the first phase of our coronavirus communications campaign. The campaign has subsequently been extended with at least 60% funding going to smaller regional and local titles.

We will continue to consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining high-quality news journalism at a local level.

The consideration of different venues and the activities involved are underpinned by understanding the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 associated with particular activities.

We recognise the importance of re-opening our indoor and outdoor pools and we agree that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. There are concerns about transmission around points of contact within such facilities, like changing rooms due to the high volume of contacts. As such, we need to provide reassurance that these facilities will be safe, and are working hard to achieve this as soon as we can.

The Government is actively working towards a safe way to re-open these facilities, with supporting guidance. The income scheme announced on Thursday 2 July by the Secretary of State for Local Government, aims to support local authorities who have incurred irrecoverable loss of income from sales, fees and charge which they had reasonably budgeted for. Further guidance will follow on the principle of the scheme.

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active. The Government has made it clear that it will adopt a phased approach based on scientific and medical advice, and that the primary goal is to protect public health.

The Government is in discussions with representatives from the sport and physical activity sector about the steps required to restart grassroots sport and will update the public when it is deemed safe to reopen sports venues. Grassroots sports facilities like leisure centres are also important parts of their communities and deliver vital health and wellbeing benefits.

The income scheme announced on Thursday 2 July by the Secretary of State for Local Government, aims to support local authorities who have incurred irrecoverable loss of income from sales, fees and charge which they had reasonably budgeted for. Further guidance will follow on the principle of the scheme.

Broadcasting plays an important role in reflecting and representing people and communities from all over the UK. The BBC has a particular role to play here. The BBC’s Royal Charter requires the BBC to represent, reflect and serve audiences, taking into account the needs of diverse communities of all the UK nations and regions.

The BBC’s proposed cuts to English regional television were debated in the chamber on 22 June 2020 with unanimous support for regional broadcasting. However, the BBC is editorially and operationally independent of government, and regional programming is a matter for the BBC.

Under the new regulatory system introduced by the government in 2017, the BBC Board must ensure the BBC complies with its Charter duties, and the government established Ofcom as the BBC regulator to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account.

Football clubs form an integral part of this country, with many holding great social and economic value to their local communities. The generosity and care shown by football clubs of all sizes never ceases to amaze with many volunteering both time and money during these difficult times.

Their presence will continue to be vital as we emerge from the pandemic and it is therefore important they are given as much support as possible.

In light of this, the Government announced a comprehensive and sizable package of direct fiscal support for business through tax reliefs, cash grants and employee wage support.

It is also crucial that the football community comes together at this time, and I have underlined our expectation that the resumption of the Premier League and the Championship will benefit the entire football pyramid.

The Government will continue to liaise closely with all the football authorities to further understand the difficulties clubs are experiencing.

Government encourages proposals for mill refurbishments to be brought forward under the £3.6billion Towns Fund, following the successful conversion of Sunny Bank Mill in Leeds referenced in its prospectus. Funding for mill conversions into housing can be sought through the £4.5billion Home Building Fund, which has already provided £20million of development capital for five mill conversions across Bradford, Harrogate and Leeds, delivering 348 new homes. Government’s heritage bodies can also help to unlock the potential of historic mills. The National Lottery Heritage Fund gives grants of up to £5million through its Heritage Enterprise programme, to schemes seeking to achieve economic growth by investing in heritage and returning an historic asset to a viable productive use.

New proposals to unleash the potential of the North and all regions across England will be brought forward in a devolution white paper in the coming months, devolving power and funding to people and places so that every part of the country can shape its own destiny.

My Lords, the expulsion of Bury Football Club from the English Football League is a devastating loss to English football and to the people of Bury. It is right that questions are asked concerning the owners’ and directors’ test, and I am pleased that the EFL has already indicated its intention to undertake a review of the test. The Government support this and remain open to discussions with the football authorities to ensure that action is taken, where possible, to prevent further club failures.