In a letter during the (previous) Conservative leadership election, Sunak committed to empowering the Digital Markets Unit, stating that he would take forward the necessary legislation this autumn: “including measures to ensure fair terms between publishers and platforms”. He also noted his decision as Chancellor (taken after years of campaigning by the PPA and Publishers Association) to zero-rate VAT on digital publications.

Sunak also promised to repeal section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act as a matter of urgency, stating it is “vital that we remove this measure which seeks to coerce the press and stifle free speech ahead of the next General Election”. If ever activated, Section 40 would force publishers to sign up to a state-backed regulator or be compelled to pay both sides’ costs in legal disputes, even if they win the case.

On Tuesday, Sunak chose to re-appoint Michelle Donelan as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. You can read a PPA article for Press Gazette setting out what the Secretary of State should do to support the sector where she began her professional career here.

The PPA looks forward to engaging with the new Government to ensure that these commitments are carried out swiftly, as well as engaging on other policies that will bolster the long-term sustainability of the specialist media sector.