Part 9Secretary of State's functions in relation to regulated services

Strategic priorities

• Section 172Statement of strategic priorities

  (1) The Secretary of State may designate a statement for the purposes of this section if the requirements set out in section 173 (consultation and parliamentary procedure) are…

• Section 173Consultation and parliamentary procedure

  (1) This section sets out the requirements that must be satisfied in relation to a statement before the Secretary of State may designate it under section 172 .…

Directions to OFCOM

• Section 174Directions about advisory committees

  (1) The Secretary of State may give OFCOM a direction requiring OFCOM to establish a committee to provide them with advice about online safety matters of a kind…

• Section 175Directions in special circumstances

  (1) The Secretary of State may give a direction to OFCOM under subsection (2) or (3) if the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds for believing that circumstances…

Guidance

• Section 176Secretary of State’s guidance

  (1) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to OFCOM about— (a) OFCOM’s exercise of their functions under this Act, (b) OFCOM’s exercise of their powers under section…

Annual report

• Section 177Annual report on the Secretary of State’s functions

  In section 390 of the Communications Act (annual report on the Secretary of State’s functions), in subsection (2), after paragraph (e) insert— “(f) the Online Safety Act 2023.”

Review

• Section 178Review

  (1) The Secretary of State must review the operation of— (a) the regulatory framework provided for in this Act, and (b) section 11 of the Communications Act ,…