The conflict of interest meant that we could not question the Permanent Secretary directly about the £124 million that the Department had loaned to top–tier rugby union clubs and its subsequent management of these loans. Instead, we had to direct our questions to the Director General for Policy.65 Professional rugby union is the area where the Department is most heavily exposed in terms of both the amount of loans it has made, 57% of all its loans to sports bodies, and the sport’s financial h...

The conflict of interest meant that we could not question the Permanent Secretary directly about the £124 million that the Department had loaned to top–tier rugby union clubs and its subsequent management of these loans. Instead, we had to direct our questions to the Director General for Policy.65 Professional rugby union is the area where the Department is most heavily exposed in terms of both the amount of loans it has made, 57% of all its loans to sports bodies, and the sport’s financial health.66 60 Q 112 61 Qq 111–114; Letter from DCMS Permanent Secretary, 25 February 2025 62 Qq 115; Letter from DCMS Permanent Secretary, 25 February 2025 Type: conclusion | Number: 25 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 6.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 6.2 The Permanent Secretary wrote to PAC on this matter on 1 April and 12 May 2025 to ensure the Committee has clarity around the specific Accounting Officer arrangements. 6.3 The department will c