Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Name	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Formed	1997
Preceding1	Department of National Heritage
Jurisdiction	Government of the United Kingdom
Headquarters	100 Parliament Street, London
Minister1 name	Lucy Frazer
Minister1 pfo	Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Chief1 name	Sarah Healey
Chief1 position	Permanent Secretary
Website	https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-digital-culture-media-sport

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is a ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for policy areas relating to the digital economy, cultural heritage, the creative industries, and public sport. It was established in 1997 as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, succeeding the Department of National Heritage, and had its remit expanded to include digital policy in 2017. The department is headquartered at 100 Parliament Street in London and is led by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

History

The department's origins lie in the Department of National Heritage, created by Prime Minister John Major in 1992 following the general election. In 1997, the incoming Labour administration under Tony Blair renamed it the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with Chris Smith appointed as its first secretary of state. A significant evolution occurred in July 2017 when Prime Minister Theresa May added 'Digital' to its title, formally recognizing its role in overseeing the UK's digital and tech sectors, including responsibilities previously held by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Key historical moments under its purview include the delivery of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the London 2012 Festival, and the establishment of bodies like UK Sport and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Responsibilities

The department's wide-ranging portfolio includes supporting the growth of the digital economy, promoting the creative industries, and preserving the UK's cultural and sporting assets. It sets policy for broadcasting and media, including oversight of Ofcom and the BBC, and administers the laws governing the National Lottery. It is also responsible for the UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the UK, the Government Art Collection, and the national archives held at The National Archives. In sport, it works with bodies like Sport England and UK Sport to increase participation and support major events, while in digital policy, it addresses issues from broadband rollout and 5G security to online safety legislation.

Structure

The department is led by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, supported by several junior ministers including the Minister of State for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society. The senior civil servant is the Permanent Secretary, who heads the department's executive agency, the Government Property Agency. Policy work is organized into directorates covering areas such as Digital and Tech Policy, Culture and Heritage, Sport and Gambling, and Media and Creative Industries. The department also maintains close working relationships with its sponsored public bodies and agencies across the United Kingdom, including the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Ministers

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is a senior cabinet position; the incumbent as of 2023 is Lucy Frazer, who was appointed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Notable past secretaries of state include Chris Smith, Tessa Jowell, Jeremy Hunt, Maria Miller, Sajid Javid, Karen Bradley, Matt Hancock, and Nadine Dorries. The ministers of state and parliamentary under-secretaries typically hold responsibilities for specific policy areas such as the creative industries, the National Lottery, tourism, sport, and gambling regulation.

Public bodies

The department sponsors a large number of public bodies, executive agencies, and non-departmental public bodies that deliver its policies. Major bodies include the Arts Council England, Historic England, the British Film Institute, and National Museums Liverpool. In media and broadcasting, it oversees Ofcom and the BBC, while in sport it sponsors UK Sport and Sport England. Other significant sponsored organisations include the National Lottery Community Fund, the Information Commissioner's Office, the Security Industry Authority, and the Royal Parks.

Controversies and criticism

The department has faced various controversies, particularly regarding its oversight of major projects and its political leadership. It was heavily scrutinized for its role in the financially troubled London 2012 Olympic Stadium legacy plans and the delays and cost overruns associated with the BBC Broadcasting House redevelopment. Policy decisions, such as those relating to the BBC licence fee settlements and the privatization of Channel 4, have drawn criticism from opposition parties and media analysts. The tenure of Secretary of State Nadine Dorries was marked by public disputes over the future of the BBC and delays to the proposed Online Safety Bill. Furthermore, the department's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic support for the cultural sector and creative industries was subject to scrutiny by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee.

Category:Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Category:1997 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Culture ministries Category:Digital media organizations