Hancock named UK culture secretary

UK prime minster Theresa May has appointed Matt Hancock MP as the new secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport.

Matthew Hancock

Hancock moves up from his position of minister of state for digital and culture to replace Karen Bradley, who was named secretary of state for Northern Ireland as part of a cabinet reshuffle yesterday.

He takes over responsibility for government policy relating to broadcasting, the internet, creative industries and sport from Bradley, who held the role for just under 18 months.

One of Hancock’s main tasks will be to steer the UK’s media industry through the choppy waters of Brexit, which many have predicted could inflict long-term damage on the sector.

As culture secretary, Bradley will be remembered for presiding over the numerous twists and turns of 21st Century Fox’s proposed takeover of European satcaster Sky, over which she raised concerns on the grounds of media plurality.

Other UK media issues that remain up in the air and will now fall on Hancock’s desk include the potential relocation of commercial public broadcaster Channel 4 out of London and fleshing out the finer details of the recently announced contestable fund for local children’s content.