New DCMS committee chief named as more calls for gambling regulation evidence made
New committee established to examine role of government and regulator while Michelle Donelan confirms upcoming maternity leave
Damian Green has been appointed as acting chair of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee as the industry awaits the much-delayed white paper review into the Gambling Act 2005.
Green has been drafted in to replace former chair Julian Knight, who lost the Conservative whip following a complaint made to the Metropolitan Police regarding his behaviour.
Knight has removed himself from parliament until the allegations, which are currently under investigation, are resolved.
Green, who is the MP for Ashford, has been a member of the committee since March 2020.
Green’s chairmanship of the committee comes at a crucial time for the DCMS, with the eyes of the sector on the government arm to finally deliver the white paper.
Current DCMS Secretary Michelle Donelan is set to take “a short” maternity leave this year, which could delay the publication’s release even further.
Despite the repeated delays to the document’s release, the DCMS set up a new committee to examine gambling regulation on 21 December, just before parliament broke for winter recess.
The new committee, which is accepting evidence until 10 February, was established after the Public Accounts Committee, National Audit Office and a House of Lords Committee called for more action to prevent gambling-related harm.
The bodies have also called into question the DCMS’ and the UK Gambling Commission’s approaches to bringing forth the new legislation.
The committee will be investigating the progress the government has made on the matter, as well as the need for modern regulation in the digital age.
Speaking on his appointment, Green said: “This year will undoubtably bring with it some major policy challenges in the world of DCMS, with online safety, the future of public service broadcasting, sports governance and gambling all likely to feature high up on the agenda.
“The committee will continue the important work it has been doing, asking the right questions and scrutinising the approach and decisions of the government and others,” he added.