Live Webchat with Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries (Monday 31 January, 1.15-2.15pm)

[HelenMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, will be joining us for a webchat this Monday lunchtime.

Ed's responsibilities range from libraries and art galleries to broadband access, internet and film.

Ed says said that, ever since he was appointed last May, it has been a priority for him to keep in direct contact with people who want to ask questions, raise issues or make comments and suggestions.

So, do feel free to ask away - either on the day or, if you can't join us then, by posting your question in advance here.

[LilyBolero]

As far as the 'School star' thing goes, and the 'shooting down in flames', the alignment with X Factor worries me, as a main element of that particular evil show is humiliation of vulnerable people. I'm surprised that the Government would think this a good model for education.

[fivegomadindorset]

I am speechless at that reply.

[Bumperrlicious]

I hope that when Glos county finish their consultation on the 11th feb & confirm their changes that you will be investigating whether or not they meet the legal requirements. As I said it is going to cost me £3 to visit the library in future not really free at the point of use.

[OhBuggerandArse]

Hm. Would like to restate my question about how the industries you are responsible for are going to survive the withdrawal of funding for teaching in the arts and humanities, please. Or is working in the area going to become the preserve of the privileged, like so much else?

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

Why mention his brand if it's on a voluntary basis then?

And what's this with the 'you all' and 'you shoot him down in flames' - where has he been shot down in flames?

[CaptainNancy]

How are children supposed to reach a high enough level in Music to enable them to enter this trashy sounding competition? Music Services across the country are being closed down and/or privatised due to cuts.

[EdVaizey]

@policywonk

Hello Mr Vaizey. Can you tell us exactly what you're asking the big ISPs to do around the issue of children's access to adult material on the internet? An off-the-record briefing a few weeks back had you telling ISPs that you were considering legislation on the issue, but your public stance always seem to be that you'd prefer a voluntary code of conduct. It would be great if you could clarify which of these two options you're leaning towards.

Talk Talk have come up with a voluntary opt-in system so that you can sign up for internet access that is already filtered rather than put the filters in yourself. I want to see what more ISPs can do together to help parents who want to ensure that their kids don't see inappropriate content. Before everyone weighs in, I am well aware of the huge technical issues and difficulties this involves. However we already have the UK Council for Child Internet Safety which looks at these issues, and they are very concerning to parents and I want to explore whether more could be done.

[EdVaizey]

@CaptainNancy

How are children supposed to reach a high enough level in Music to enable them to enter this trashy sounding competition? Music Services across the country are being closed down and/or privatised due to cuts.

I think the Henley review will address this.

[EdVaizey]

@fivegomadindorset

I am speechless at that reply.

Which one?

[falsemessageoflethargy]

Mr Vaizey - you must realise that people are goign to be suspicious of big businesses links with schemes such as this - there arent any free lunches after all and if the cost is another cultural shift towards the Industry of Culture in this country then people are going to be sceptical.

We want our children to enjoy music for its own sake and pass that down to their children rather than it be just something that is bought and consumed and thrown away.

[Aitch]

so why not mention his qualifications rather than the business he works for? after all, you'd have to be a bit of a boor to expect the name 'Classic FM' to bring comfort to people concerned about real classical musical studies.

[EdVaizey]

@freshmint

Was that the strategy which you got completely and utterly confused about net neutrality and said that you and tim berners lee were "as one" on the oily and he said "uh, no we aren't?"

That'll be the one

[Madsometimes]

Any comments on National Museum entrance charges for permanent collections?

[Querelous]

Does the World Service not come under culture and communications for the UK?

[MarinaResurgens]

I too asked Ed what his personal experience of volunteering on a rostered basis (as opposed to turning up to a mate's charity auction).

It is extremely difficult to ensure a consistent and reliable service week in, week out, with a volunteer workforce. It triples the workload of the manager - training, communication, personal development, compliance with Equal Opps and Health and Safety at work, extra CRB checks...

[fivegomadindorset]

The one that accused me of having a bad attitude.

[LilyBolero]

If you want to get kids involved in music, get singing going in schools again. Keep SingUp's funding going. Provide opportunities for massed singing for kids. You don't need to play an instrument, everyone can have a go, and you can perform in amazing venues, with loads of other people, and perform some really WORTHWHILE music.

I hate competitive music - marking people out as successes and failures. For kids, the great thing is to DO music, not to be in a competition with some dream of performing with Gary Barlow, which the vast majority of them won't.

[madamimadam]

Just come on and seen Mr V's response about the X-factor. And I feel as though I've wandered into a scene from the Thick of It.

You honestly, honestly can't think that that's a fit and proper way to raise achievement, can you? Is that really the best this government can do?

And, come on, what did James say to David at Christmas...

[MarinaResurgens]

Hear hear Lily

For most musicians their life's work is NOT about winning a competition to be a "star". It is about collaborative music making in group settings, or teaching.

[fivegomadindorset]

Thank you Lily, you phrased it better than me.

[Aitch]

exactly lily

[EdVaizey]

@freshmint

Hi Ed. As one of your consituents, do you find it difficult to reconcile your ministerial role with your constituency role? libraries is an obvious example.

Most MPs try not to be "political" in their constituency, in the sense that if a constituent has a problem with a Govt department, you have to represent them, and I have no trouble doing that. Obviously I am defending Government policy more than I used to when I was in Opposition!

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

The press release announcing the Henley Review mentions Classic FM twice and has a brief 'shout-out' to the station in the notes. The letter from Michael Gove to Darren Henley is sent to his business address so I am guessing the 'voluntary' nature of the work is nicely synergistic with his business activities.

All can be found here

[jonicomelately]

Please preserve our libraries. They are invaluable to children from less well-off backgrounds. And please do everything in your power to make them look and feel like libraries and give them the confidence to call themselves a 'library' not 'learning centres' or other rubbish names.