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Football Governance Reform

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport is implementing football governance reform, including the Football Governance Act and associated regulations, to strengthen intervention powers and establish a framework for matches of national significance. The reform addresses broader questions of sports funding alignment across government departments and the need for a unifying national framework to deliver health, community and economic benefits.

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2026

26 events
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that public investment in sports facilities supports a balanced range of sports, including cou

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that public investment in sports facilities supports a balanced range of sports, including court-based activities such as tennis and padel, to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that public investment in sports facilities supports a balanced range of sports, includin

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that public investment in sports facilities supports a balanced range of sports, including court-based activities such as tennis and padel, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that UK Sport and Sport England's funding conditions require the Rugby Football Union and

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that UK Sport and Sport England's funding conditions require the Rugby Football Union and other rugby governing bodies to (a) …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has considered providing multi-year capital funding settlements for community sports facilities, in order to enable national gov

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has considered providing multi-year capital funding settlements for community sports facilities, in order to enable national governing bodies and local partners to plan, deliver match

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how her Department plans to ensure that public funding for sports facilities supports a balanced range of sports, including court-based acti

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how her Department plans to ensure that public funding for sports facilities supports a balanced range of sports, including court-based activities such as tennis and padel, to maximise participat

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

The Government has a role to play in attracting investment into sport from other sources. It is important that public funding is used strategically to unlock additional investment, including private finance, pension funds, and innovative mechanisms such as crowdfunding and debt guarantees. Corporate social responsibility investment in sport for development remains disproportionately low, despite significant private sector spending on elite sport sponsorship. (Conclusion, Paragraph 17)

The Government has a role to play in attracting investment into sport from other sources. It is important that public funding is used strategically to unlock additional investment, including private finance, pension funds, and innovative mechanisms such as crowdfunding and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government play a more proactive role in convening and enabling alternative sources of investment in grassroots sport and physical activity. This should include supporting models that leverage private and institutional finance, encouraging greater alignment between corporate social responsibility, investment and community sport outcomes, and promoting collaboration between public, charitable and private funders. (Recommendation, Paragraph 18) 51

We recommend that the Government play a more proactive role in convening and enabling alternative sources of investment in grassroots sport and physical activity. This should include supporting models that leverage private and institutional finance, encouraging greater alignment between corporate …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

Funding application processes can be complex and difficult to navigate, particularly for volunteer‑run grassroots organisations with limited capacity and expertise. Lengthy, technical applications and fragmented funding routes act as barriers to access, despite recent efforts by Sport England to simplify provision through the Movement Fund. There is strong support in the community sport sector for alternative, more accessible application formats, including video, pitch and interview‑based app...

Funding application processes can be complex and difficult to navigate, particularly for volunteer‑run grassroots organisations with limited capacity and expertise. Lengthy, technical applications and fragmented funding routes act as barriers to access, despite recent efforts by Sport England to sim

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government requires Sport England and other public funders to further simplify and standardise funding application processes to make them more accessible for grassroots organisations. This should include piloting alternative application formats such as video or interview‑based submissions, introducing a light‑ touch initial eligibility stage, and improving pre‑application support. (Recommendation, Paragraph 23)

We recommend that the Government requires Sport England and other public funders to further simplify and standardise funding application processes to make them more accessible for grassroots organisations. This should include piloting alternative application formats such as video or interview‑based

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

There is a lack of transparency and accountability around current funding arrangements for PE and school sport. While the PE and Sport Premium has provided valuable, ring‑fenced support for primary schools, inconsistent assessment, limited benchmarking and weak scrutiny by Ofsted mean that funding is not always used effectively or as intended. The fact that the Government could not provide us with further information about wider departmental contributions further highlights the need for great...

There is a lack of transparency and accountability around current funding arrangements for PE and school sport. While the PE and Sport Premium has provided valuable, ring‑fenced support for primary schools, inconsistent assessment, limited benchmarking and weak scrutiny by Ofsted …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government strengthen accountability for the PE and Sport Premium by introducing clearer national reporting requirements, consistent benchmarking and more robust scrutiny through Ofsted. As a first step, we invite the Government to set out, in its response to our report, a detailed breakdown of all funding it is allocating for school sport, including information about how much funding individual Government Departments are contributing. (Recommendation, Paragraph 29)

We recommend that the Government strengthen accountability for the PE and Sport Premium by introducing clearer national reporting requirements, consistent benchmarking and more robust scrutiny through Ofsted. As a first step, we invite the Government to set out, in its …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We were concerned about reports that the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) had sought to renege on commitments to provide funding for physical education. Given the importance of PE and sport to improving health outcomes, and the potential in the longer‑term for consequential savings to the NHS, we expect DHSC to put its share of funding into the school sport system, along with funding from the Department for Education and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. (Recommendation...

We were concerned about reports that the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) had sought to renege on commitments to provide funding for physical education. Given the importance of PE and sport to improving health outcomes, and the potential …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We are concerned that gaps in understanding of England’s sports facility stock continue to hinder effective planning and investment. While Sport England’s Active Places database provides a useful starting point, it does not offer a sufficiently complete or consistent picture of facilities, their usage or availability. The failure to deliver the National Vision for Facilities has left the sector without a clear strategic framework, limiting the ability to identify need and address inequalities...

We are concerned that gaps in understanding of England’s sports facility stock continue to hinder effective planning and investment. While Sport England’s Active Places database provides a useful starting point, it does not offer a sufficiently complete or consistent picture …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

Access to appropriate, safe, inclusive and affordable sports facilities is closely linked to participation. Yet while demand, particularly from women and girls, is rising, facility provision is declining due to closures, ageing infrastructure and uneven availability. Smaller sports, grassroots organisations and underserved communities are disproportionately affected and increasingly squeezed out by better‑resourced users. Without sustained capital investment, improved planning and stronger sa...

Access to appropriate, safe, inclusive and affordable sports facilities is closely linked to participation. Yet while demand, particularly from women and girls, is rising, facility provision is declining due to closures, ageing infrastructure and uneven availability. Smaller sports, grassroots organ

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government legislate to require local authorities and housing associations to remove unnecessary “No Ball Games” signs, to make public spaces more usable for children’s play. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59)

We recommend that the Government legislate to require local authorities and housing associations to remove unnecessary “No Ball Games” signs, to make public spaces more usable for children’s play. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59) Type: recommendation | Number: 20 | Response status: …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We recommend the Government build on the success of the School Games Organiser network with its new School Sport Partnership by increasing capacity and ensuring consistent national coverage. We invite the Government in responding to our report to set out how the scheme will work in practice, how it will build on lessons from the School Games Organiser scheme, how much funding will go into it, and what mechanisms will be in place to ensure this funding is effectively distributed. (Recommendati...

We recommend the Government build on the success of the School Games Organiser network with its new School Sport Partnership by increasing capacity and ensuring consistent national coverage. We invite the Government in responding to our report to set out …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

Increasing women’s participation in sport depends not only on opportunities to play, but also on visibility and representation. Evidence shows that when women’s sport is regularly broadcast, especially on free‑to‑air TV, girls are more likely to feel inspired and motivated to be active. A dedicated broadcast slot for women’s football would provide consistent coverage, grow audiences and challenge persistent gender stereotypes. (Conclusion, Paragraph 121)

Increasing women’s participation in sport depends not only on opportunities to play, but also on visibility and representation. Evidence shows that when women’s sport is regularly broadcast, especially on free‑to‑air TV, girls are more likely to feel inspired and motivated …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government intervene in discussions between the Premier League, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, English Football League and Football Association to ensure that women’s football is exempt from the restrictions on broadcasting in the 3pm on Saturday slot. (Recommendation, Paragraph 122)

We recommend that the Government intervene in discussions between the Premier League, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, English Football League and Football Association to ensure that women’s football is exempt from the restrictions on broadcasting in the 3pm on Saturday slot. …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

Volunteers are essential to the delivery of community sport. Across the country, thousands of people give their time to coach, officiate and support grassroots clubs, often sustaining provision that would not otherwise exist. We want everyone to have the chance to volunteer. A greater mix of volunteers should improve community relationships and lead to a more diverse volunteering network which in turn will provide role models to those currently less inclined to attend clubs and groups. A cohe...

Volunteers are essential to the delivery of community sport. Across the country, thousands of people give their time to coach, officiate and support grassroots clubs, often sustaining provision that would not otherwise exist. We want everyone to have the chance …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

The Government should publish a comprehensive volunteering policy for sport and physical activity. This should include linking volunteering to career development and skills pathways; establishing national awards or recognition schemes for volunteers in community sport; expanding flexible and inclusive volunteering opportunities; and improving digital tools to support recruitment, retention and coordination of volunteers. (Recommendation, Paragraph 138)

The Government should publish a comprehensive volunteering policy for sport and physical activity. This should include linking volunteering to career development and skills pathways; establishing national awards or recognition schemes for volunteers in community sport; expanding flexible and inclusi

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government work with Sport England to identify steps that can be taken to streamline volunteer administration. This might include establishing a central register so that qualifications and DBS checks can be carried between sports and activity groups. (Recommendation, Paragraph 140) Conclusion: The Case for a Strategy

We recommend that the Government work with Sport England to identify steps that can be taken to streamline volunteer administration. This might include establishing a central register so that qualifications and DBS checks can be carried between sports and activity …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

The benefits of sport and physical activity—improved health, stronger communities, reduced inequalities, and enhanced educational and economic outcomes—span multiple departments, yet responsibility for delivering them remains disconnected. Without a unifying national framework to align funding, planning, education, health policy and community provision, these gains will continue to be fragmented and under‑ realised. The question is no longer whether the Government recognises 58 the benefits o...

The benefits of sport and physical activity—improved health, stronger communities, reduced inequalities, and enhanced educational and economic outcomes—span multiple departments, yet responsibility for delivering them remains disconnected. Without a unifying national framework to align funding, plan

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Sports: Care Quality Commission

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with sporting (a) bodies, (b) venues and (c) events organisers on proposed changes to the role of the Care Quality Commission. Answer: The Manchester …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
22 Feb 2026 | Committee report linked

The Government should give serious consideration to the proposal to introduce a new category for football matches of national significance, with a process for designation, to provide a stronger basis for intervention in the future. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49) 24 Conclusion

The Government should give serious consideration to the proposal to introduce a new category for football matches of national significance, with a process for designation, to provide a stronger basis for intervention in the future. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49) 24 Conclusion …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2025

15 events
23 Jun 2025 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Government Funding for Sport

UIN: HLWS724 I am repeating the following Written Ministerial Statement made on 20 June 2025 in the other place by my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP:Sport plays an integral part …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
20 Jun 2025 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Government Funding for Sport

UIN: HCWS722 Sport plays an integral part in our national identity - it brings communities together through physical activity, provides moments of national unity and celebration, and supports growth through investment in our cities, towns and villages. In short, sport...

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
9 Jun 2025 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Grassroots Sport Facilities

UIN: HLWS686 I am repeating the following Written Ministerial Statement made today in the other place by my Honourable Friend, the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, Stephanie Peacock MP:Grassroots sport has the power to bring people together, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
9 Jun 2025 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Grassroots Sport Facilities

UIN: HCWS689 Grassroots sport has the power to bring people together, creating a healthier nation and increasing opportunities for communities across the UK. As part of the Government's Plan for Change, we are committed to supporting the growth of grassroots …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
9 May 2025 | Committee report linked

We are content to endorse David Kogan OBE’s appointment as Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, recognising his vast experience in the football and media sectors.

We are content to endorse David Kogan OBE’s appointment as Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, recognising his vast experience in the football and media sectors. Type: conclusion | Number: 22 | Response status: accepted Government response: I am writing …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

The Department is displaying an inconsistent approach to its engagement with professional sports. The majority of the Department’s loans to sport bodies went to professional sport. For example, 57% (£124 million) of the Department’s sports loans went to top–tier, professional rugby union clubs in the Premiership Rugby League. The Department insists that these clubs were financially viable when it awarded the loans, despite public reports at the time to the contrary and the subsequent insolven...

The Department is displaying an inconsistent approach to its engagement with professional sports. The majority of the Department’s loans to sport bodies went to professional sport. For example, 57% (£124 million) of the Department’s sports loans went to top–tier, professional …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (the Department) on the management of its COVID–19 loan book.1

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (the Department) on the management of its COVID–19 loan book.1 Type: conclusion | Number: 1 | Response …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

As at December 2024, the Department had identified two possible incidents of fraud among its borrowers, relating to loans valued at £2.2 million.47 It told us that it considered the level of fraud in its COVID–19 loans to be relatively low, compared to other COVID–19 schemes, but that it was in no way complacent about, and was very focused on, this fraud risk.48 Engagement with professional sport

As at December 2024, the Department had identified two possible incidents of fraud among its borrowers, relating to loans valued at £2.2 million.47 It told us that it considered the level of fraud in its COVID–19 loans to be relatively …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

The Department loaned £218 million in total to 83 sports bodies. Of this £124 million (57%) was loaned to the 13 clubs in the Premiership Rugby League, the top division of professional rugby union.49 We asked the Department whether it was appropriate to give so many loans to one professional sport. The Department told us that there had been no special treatment and it had used the same requirements for all applicants when awarding the loans. Applicants had to be financially solvent before COV...

The Department loaned £218 million in total to 83 sports bodies. Of this £124 million (57%) was loaned to the 13 clubs in the Premiership Rugby League, the top division of professional rugby union.49 We asked the Department whether it …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

We asked the Department what it was doing with regard to professional basketball and the proposals by the British Basketball Federation to franchise out the running of the professional league which some have claimed is putting at risk the Department’s loans to some of the clubs. The Department replied that it was not for the government to intervene in commercial decisions, such as franchising, as these were a matter for the sport’s governing body.58 However, it would expect Sport England, as ...

We asked the Department what it was doing with regard to professional basketball and the proposals by the British Basketball Federation to franchise out the running of the professional league which some have claimed is putting at risk the Department’s …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

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 …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Mar 2025 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Investment

UIN: HCWS544 Grassroots sport clubs are at the heart of communities across the UK. As we deliver our Plan for Change, we will remove barriers to an active lifestyle and increase opportunity for all, ensuring that wherever people may live, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
24 Mar 2025 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Investment

UIN: HLWS542 I am repeating the following Written Ministerial Statement made today in the other place by my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP: Grassroots sport clubs are at the heart …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓

2024

5 events
5 Apr 2024 | Committee report linked

Decisions on the future of Yorkshire County Cricket Club are best made by its members, with good governance and a continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion led by an independent, open and transparent board. We want Yorkshire CCC to continue to reform and to succeed.

Decisions on the future of Yorkshire County Cricket Club are best made by its members, with good governance and a continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion led by an independent, open and transparent board. We want Yorkshire CCC to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

There has been a slow and disparate response to disproportionately high rates of ACL injury in women’s football. We have no doubt that a health issue of similar magnitude affecting elite male footballers would have received a faster, more thorough, and better coordinated response. We agree with Karen Carney that the 40 Health barriers for girls and women in sport issue is indicative of systemic gender inequality in sports and exercise research, which is still overwhelmingly conducted by men, ...

There has been a slow and disparate response to disproportionately high rates of ACL injury in women’s football. We have no doubt that a health issue of similar magnitude affecting elite male footballers would have received a faster, more thorough, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

It is symptomatic of gender inequality and sexism in the sports sector that the first football boot in the world designed around female feet came to the market less than four years ago. Since then, limited progress has been made by the largest sports brands, who between them have produced only a handful of football boots designed specifically for the needs of girls and women. Some of those that are available are at a price many people cannot afford. It is also disappointing that Sports Direct...

It is symptomatic of gender inequality and sexism in the sports sector that the first football boot in the world designed around female feet came to the market less than four years ago. Since then, limited progress has been made …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

Issues of bullying, harassment, abuse, and discrimination are not limited to swimming, with issues emerging across several sports in recent years. We welcome the DCMS’s call for evidence on integrity in sport, which closed three months ago, and expect to see tangible actions as a result. In response to this Report, the DCMS should set out in detail: • insights from the call for evidence on integrity in sport; • the proposed the next steps in improving how concerns and grievances are dealt wit...

Issues of bullying, harassment, abuse, and discrimination are not limited to swimming, with issues emerging across several sports in recent years. We welcome the DCMS’s call for evidence on integrity in sport, which closed three months ago, and expect to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2023

55 events
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The treatment of Liverpool fans by French authorities at the 2022 UEFA Champions League final was disgraceful, worsened by the attempts of authorities and UEFA to blame Liverpool fans. Evidence we have received suggests that the attitude of foreign police forces to UK football fans heavily contributed to the chaos seen in Paris last year. This chaos suggests that current approaches to ensuring UK fan safety at these high-profile events are not working.

The treatment of Liverpool fans by French authorities at the 2022 UEFA Champions League final was disgraceful, worsened by the attempts of authorities and UEFA to blame Liverpool fans. Evidence we have received suggests that the attitude of foreign police …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We echo calls for sporting bodies to increase their contribution to the safety of fans outside of the stadium. While direct responsibility, in line with the recommendations of the Casey Review, would require significant changes in policing and event management, increased financial contributions would not. Clubs that benefit from matchday attendance and broadcasting rights should be prepared to contribute more fairly to the costs associated with them.

We echo calls for sporting bodies to increase their contribution to the safety of fans outside of the stadium. While direct responsibility, in line with the recommendations of the Casey Review, would require significant changes in policing and event management, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The evidence available on the impact of alcohol on disorder at football matches and for fans travelling on chartered services does not provide a compelling case either for the status quo or for a significant relaxation of the current legislation. We acknowledge football’s historic problems with alcohol consumption and anti- social behaviour, but we are also aware that this behaviour at sporting events is not unique to football and there are legitimate concerns that other sporting events are a...

The evidence available on the impact of alcohol on disorder at football matches and for fans travelling on chartered services does not provide a compelling case either for the status quo or for a significant relaxation of the current legislation. …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The Government’s alcohol sale pilots should be undertaken alongside our recommended improved reporting of hate crime and antisocial behaviour at matches to ensure that the impacts are fully understood before any further decisions are taken on alcohol sales. It should take note of the reduced risk of alcohol-related disorder at events with smaller crowds such as non-League football matches.

The Government’s alcohol sale pilots should be undertaken alongside our recommended improved reporting of hate crime and antisocial behaviour at matches to ensure that the impacts are fully understood before any further decisions are taken on alcohol sales. It should …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

Stewards should not be seen merely as volunteers or fans who get to see the game for free. They are crucial to the safety of all sporting events and their responsibilities have grown over the years. The resources available to all major UK sports should 34 Safety at major sporting events allow for the better treatment of stewards, including an appropriate wage for the demanding and often stressful job it can be, both as a reward for the work they do and to encourage recruitment and retention o...

Stewards should not be seen merely as volunteers or fans who get to see the game for free. They are crucial to the safety of all sporting events and their responsibilities have grown over the years. The resources available to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

Despite efforts at self-regulation, clubs and governing bodies have failed to set and enforce coherent minimum stewarding standards, to the detriment of the experiences of stewards and the safety of attendees. We recommend that the Government and SGSA should work with sporting bodies to establish a central training fund for stewards at all levels of their sport, with contributions from sporting leagues being tied to their revenue. (Paragraph 80) Stadium management

Despite efforts at self-regulation, clubs and governing bodies have failed to set and enforce coherent minimum stewarding standards, to the detriment of the experiences of stewards and the safety of attendees. We recommend that the Government and SGSA should work …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

Safety Advisory Groups are the one major opportunity for sport stakeholders to voice their priorities and concerns for safety at events. It is wrong that any group should have its input restricted, but this too often seems to be the case. SAGs have, at best, a mixed record on seeking out and considering the necessary perspectives to inform better decision making. Although we accept the Government’s position that local authorities should continue to run SAGs in their areas, there is a role for...

Safety Advisory Groups are the one major opportunity for sport stakeholders to voice their priorities and concerns for safety at events. It is wrong that any group should have its input restricted, but this too often seems to be the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

Safe standing pilots have, to date, been successful with no significant evidence of the kind of dangerous behaviour that some safe standing sceptics have warned of. However, the pilots have been limited and it is prudent to expand them and gather information on the policy’s effect on larger audiences before any significant expansion. Further pilots and expansion should only go ahead with the continued consultation and cooperation with the SGSA, who may wish to amend the implementation criteri...

Safe standing pilots have, to date, been successful with no significant evidence of the kind of dangerous behaviour that some safe standing sceptics have warned of. However, the pilots have been limited and it is prudent to expand them and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

Poor stadium design raises fundamental issues around equality, diversity and inclusion that are not being fulfilled to an acceptable level by the design of spaces intended for use by fans. Being unable to accommodate women and disabled fans in an appropriate way sends the message that they are not welcome and undermines their safety, security and dignity when attending matches. In turn, it means valuable income is lost by clubs from people who are unwilling or unable to attend.

Poor stadium design raises fundamental issues around equality, diversity and inclusion that are not being fulfilled to an acceptable level by the design of spaces intended for use by fans. Being unable to accommodate women and disabled fans in an …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The Sports Ground Safety Authority, as the safety regulator of sports grounds in the UK, must do more promote the widening of accessibility and inclusion in stadium design. The SGSA’s current Green Guide, does not fairly promote accessibility and inclusion for all sports fans and the fundamental changes required should not be delayed until the next scheduled update of the Green Guide in 2028. The Sports Ground Safety Authority should bring forward an update to its Green Guide, including a req...

The Sports Ground Safety Authority, as the safety regulator of sports grounds in the UK, must do more promote the widening of accessibility and inclusion in stadium design. The SGSA’s current Green Guide, does not fairly promote accessibility and inclusion …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Dec 2023 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Sport Update

UIN: HCWS85 I wish to inform the House that the Government has today published its response to the recommendations made by the Independent Review of Women’s Football.Women’s football has developed rapidly in recent years and there is no doubt that …

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29 Nov 2023 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Lionesses Futures Fund

UIN: HCWS76 The Government has today announced it is investing £25 million in 2024-25, complemented with £5 million of additional investment from The Football Association, to create a new Lionesses Futures Fund. This fund is expected to deliver 30 state-of-the-art …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
11 Oct 2023 | Committee report linked

The recent plateaus in professional sports leagues’ revenues and the zero-risk nature of crypto revenue for clubs has incentivised partnerships between professional sport and crypto companies. However, the unique relationship between clubs and fans means that fan speculation on sport-based cryptoassets carries a real risk of financial harm to fans and reputational harm to clubs. We are also concerned that clubs may present fan tokens as an appropriate form of fan engagement in the future, des...

The recent plateaus in professional sports leagues’ revenues and the zero-risk nature of crypto revenue for clubs has incentivised partnerships between professional sport and crypto companies. However, the unique relationship between clubs and fans means that fan speculation on sport-based …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Sep 2023 | Committee report linked

We welcome the draft Bill limiting the Listed Events regime to Public Service Broadcasters. These events are important sporting occasions with immense cultural and social impact and the regime is critical to the UK’s sporting and media landscape. However, it is unfortunate that the Government has not taken the opportunity to use the legislation to close the loophole that allows an unregulated streaming service to buy the rights for a listed event and put them behind a paywall. We recommend th...

We welcome the draft Bill limiting the Listed Events regime to Public Service Broadcasters. These events are important sporting occasions with immense cultural and social impact and the regime is critical to the UK’s sporting and media landscape. However, it …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
7 Sep 2023 | Policy paper Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Reforming club football governance - consultation response

The government’s response to the consultation on the white paper 'A sustainable future - reforming club football governance'.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ A sustainable future - reforming club football …
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↓ A sustainable future - reforming club football governance: … (48pp) ↓ Research report: Still ill? Assessing the financial sustain… ↓ Research report: Still ill? Assessing the financial sustain… (27pp)
13 Jul 2023 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Review of Women’s Football: ‘Raising the Bar - Reframing the Opportunity in Women’s Football’ - final report and recommendations

UIN: HCWS937 The Government has made significant progress in recent years to advance and support women’s sport. The Lionesses’ success at the Women’s Euros helped make 2022 a landmark year for women’s sport, with the country’s first major football trophy …

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13 Jul 2023 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Review of Women’s Football: ‘Raising the Bar - Reframing the Opportunity in Women’s Football’ - final report and recommendations

UIN: HLWS921 I am repeating the following Written Ministerial Statement made today in the other place by my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Frazer KC MP:The Government has made significant progress in …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

We welcome the Government’s commitment to establish an Independent Regulator. Introducing a Shadow Regulator as soon as possible to recruit staff and begin engagement and preparatory work is invaluable for clubs, leagues and other football stakeholders might help avoid unintended consequences in the new regime that could lead to dissatisfaction with IREF in the coming years. The final statutory powers, procedures and institutional location of IREF can be changed at a later date.

We welcome the Government’s commitment to establish an Independent Regulator. Introducing a Shadow Regulator as soon as possible to recruit staff and begin engagement and preparatory work is invaluable for clubs, leagues and other football stakeholders might help avoid unintended …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government should establish the Independent Regulator for English Football in a shadow form by the end of 2023 to ensure that it can begin initial engagement and preparatory work before waiting for legislation to be passed. The Government should ensure the legislation needed to give statutory powers to the Independent Regulator are included in the forthcoming King’s Speech and ensure that legislation is passed in this present Parliament. (Paragraph 13) Fan engagement

We recommend that the Government should establish the Independent Regulator for English Football in a shadow form by the end of 2023 to ensure that it can begin initial engagement and preparatory work before waiting for legislation to be passed. …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

We welcome the Premier League’s fan engagement standard and commend the Premier League for acting prior to the publication of the White Paper. However, the level of fan engagement from Premier League and EFL clubs still varies wildly and we are surprised at the Government’s acceptance of the internal standard as a baseline for fan engagement across football. We do not believe that IREF enforcing an equivalent of the measures in the Premier League Fan Engagement Standard will be enough to form...

We welcome the Premier League’s fan engagement standard and commend the Premier League for acting prior to the publication of the White Paper. However, the level of fan engagement from Premier League and EFL clubs still varies wildly and we …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

The introduction of IREF remains a great opportunity to increase the pace of the important work that is already underway at football clubs consulting and engaging with their fans. Whilst clubs should be encouraged to exceed fan engagement standards and pursue best practice, this should be underpinned by the backstop of a strong, independent regulatory framework.

The introduction of IREF remains a great opportunity to increase the pace of the important work that is already underway at football clubs consulting and engaging with their fans. Whilst clubs should be encouraged to exceed fan engagement standards and …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

IREF, beginning in shadow form, should ensure that its licencing conditions regarding fan engagement are set independently of the current Premier League Fan Engagement Standard. Unless there is immediate and significant change from leagues and clubs, we expect that IREF will be required to set and enforce a substantially higher level of fan engagement for clubs to meet than the Leagues have set themselves, in order to ensure all clubs work to meet the needs of fans. (Paragraph 23) Equality, D...

IREF, beginning in shadow form, should ensure that its licencing conditions regarding fan engagement are set independently of the current Premier League Fan Engagement Standard. Unless there is immediate and significant change from leagues and clubs, we expect that IREF …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

The inclusion of concrete, universal EDI measures in the new Football Governance Code is a necessary step to address the significant concerns about a lack of EDI oversight in football. The work on EDI done by the leagues to date has not been undertaken collaboratively and opportunities to pool resources to avoid duplicating work have been missed. We welcome the acceptance from the football authorities Football Governance 19 that they should be doing more to improve EDI outcomes across footbal...

The inclusion of concrete, universal EDI measures in the new Football Governance Code is a necessary step to address the significant concerns about a lack of EDI oversight in football. The work on EDI done by the leagues to date …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

We recommend that, while in shadow form, IREF should look to existing corporate governance codes and work with stakeholders to ensure that substantive EDI measures are included in the new Code for Football Governance.

We recommend that, while in shadow form, IREF should look to existing corporate governance codes and work with stakeholders to ensure that substantive EDI measures are included in the new Code for Football Governance. Type: recommendation | Number: 7 | …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

We are concerned that the Government has ignored recommendations to include EDI Action Plans for clubs and oversight of these plans within IREF’s remit. We believe that IREF would be well placed to receive and publish standardised data on compliance with EDI requirements in football, as well as monitoring and enforcing compliance with equality standards through EDI Action Plans. We recommend that the Government should give IREF the authority to mandate EDI Action Plans as part of its threshol...

We are concerned that the Government has ignored recommendations to include EDI Action Plans for clubs and oversight of these plans within IREF’s remit. We believe that IREF would be well placed to receive and publish standardised data on compliance …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

The financial sustainability of the football pyramid is the responsibility of football itself. Football organisations can, and should, be the ones to find a solution to the current deadlock of revenue distribution. We welcome that progress seems to have been made on a “New Deal” for football and a new revenue sharing model. However, it is clear that there is still distance between the Premier League and EFL. If this distance is not bridged soon, more clubs will be put at risk of collapse. It ...

The financial sustainability of the football pyramid is the responsibility of football itself. Football organisations can, and should, be the ones to find a solution to the current deadlock of revenue distribution. We welcome that progress seems to have been …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

We urge football authorities, including the Premier League, EFL and the FA, to urgently reach an agreement on sharing a higher proportion of revenue with clubs down the football pyramid before the establishment of IREF. This should include no increase in the current level of parachute payments from the Premier League but should include an increased, strategic redistribution of income from all Leagues down to the grassroots of football.

We urge football authorities, including the Premier League, EFL and the FA, to urgently reach an agreement on sharing a higher proportion of revenue with clubs down the football pyramid before the establishment of IREF. This should include no increase …

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30 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

If there are no immediate signs of progress on revenue sharing, the Government should expedite its plans to establish the Independent Regulator with the power to mandate a solution. (Paragraph 44) 20 Football Governance

If there are no immediate signs of progress on revenue sharing, the Government should expedite its plans to establish the Independent Regulator with the power to mandate a solution. (Paragraph 44) 20 Football Governance Type: recommendation | Number: 11 | …

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2 Mar 2023 | Committee report linked

We are firmly of the view that the current lack of opportunities to watch Scottish international football on free-to-air broadcast is letting down fans in Scotland, who are at a disadvantage compared to fans in England and (for now) Wales. The UK Government must be more proactive in acknowledging and responding Public broadcasting in Scotland 23 to the frustration this situation is causing in Scotland. We also wish to see more examples of public service broadcasters and subscription services ...

We are firmly of the view that the current lack of opportunities to watch Scottish international football on free-to-air broadcast is letting down fans in Scotland, who are at a disadvantage compared to fans in England and (for now) Wales. …

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2 Mar 2023 | Committee report linked

The UK Government should also establish a review to consider options to improve free-to-air access to Scottish international football. This should involve representatives from Viaplay and Sky as the current and former purchasers of the rights to broadcast Scottish international football, the Scottish Football Association as the rights holder, and public service broadcasters. If the review is unable to come up with effective solutions within the existing commercial rights framework, it should ...

The UK Government should also establish a review to consider options to improve free-to-air access to Scottish international football. This should involve representatives from Viaplay and Sky as the current and former purchasers of the rights to broadcast Scottish international …

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23 Feb 2023 | Policy paper Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

A sustainable future - reforming club football governance

This white paper sets out the government’s comprehensive plan to introduce an independent regulator for professional clubs in the English football pyramid.

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↓ A sustainable future - reforming club football governance (99pp) ↓ Research report: Contingent valuation of men’s professional… (102pp)
17 Jan 2023 | Government response linked

The financial situation of Premiership clubs is clearly unsustainable, and we are surprised by the very complacent belief of Bill Sweeney and Simon Massie-Taylor that further growth in club revenues will solve these problems.

The financial situation of Premiership clubs is clearly unsustainable, and we are surprised by the very complacent belief of Bill Sweeney and Simon Massie-Taylor that further growth in club revenues will solve these problems. Type: conclusion | Number: 1 | …

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17 Jan 2023 | Government response linked

The demise during the playing season of two Premiership clubs is a stain on the reputation of the RFU and PRL. It is not indicative of a healthy professional setup. We welcome the planned reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future, but such alarming circumstances should not have been required in order for the RFU and PRL to realise the necessity of these reforms. (Paragraph 8) Player welfare

The demise during the playing season of two Premiership clubs is a stain on the reputation of the RFU and PRL. It is not indicative of a healthy professional setup. We welcome the planned reforms to prevent similar occurrences in …

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8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

It is unacceptable that Sport England does not know where in the country its grants are spent or whether these are genuinely helping those most in need. Sport England distributed £1.5 billion in grants in the five years starting 2016–17, but only knows which local authorities this funding went to for £450 million of this spending. It does not know where in the country the remaining two-thirds of grants awarded were spent, as it does not track the distribution of grants issued to national orga...

It is unacceptable that Sport England does not know where in the country its grants are spent or whether these are genuinely helping those most in need. Sport England distributed £1.5 billion in grants in the five years starting 2016–17, …

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8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

The Department’s approach to working in partnership with other organisations to encourage people to take part in sport and physical activity is not yet effective. The Department recognises the importance of working with a variety of government departments, local organisations and charities to deliver increased levels of physical activity. It has committed to ensuring greater joining up between government departments. Sport England has also sought to expand the number of organisations it works...

The Department’s approach to working in partnership with other organisations to encourage people to take part in sport and physical activity is not yet effective. The Department recognises the importance of working with a variety of government departments, local organisations …

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8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

The Department does not know if leisure facilities are financially sustainable or are delivering the sports facilities that communities need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sport England and the Department distributed over £900 million to support sports clubs and leisure centres. But leisure facilities now face new challenges. The energy bill for the leisure sector is expected to rise from £500 million in 2019 to £1–1.2 billion for 2022. Some 70% of councils are considering scaling back their ...

The Department does not know if leisure facilities are financially sustainable or are delivering the sports facilities that communities need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sport England and the Department distributed over £900 million to support sports clubs and leisure centres. …

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8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (the Department) and Sport England on their efforts to increase the population’s levels of physical activity.1

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (the Department) and Sport England on their efforts to increase the population’s levels of physical activity.1 …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

Sport England sought to rebalance its grant funding towards the inactive in line with the objectives of its 2016–2021 strategy. Sport England distributed £1.5 billion in grants in the five years starting 2016–17, supporting a range of organisations from National Governing Bodies to local community sports clubs. While Sport England can identify programme-specific spend, its data were not sufficiently granular to fully track its spending and it cannot identity how the grants it had issued to na...

Sport England sought to rebalance its grant funding towards the inactive in line with the objectives of its 2016–2021 strategy. Sport England distributed £1.5 billion in grants in the five years starting 2016–17, supporting a range of organisations from National …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

Sport England told us the changes in distribution of spending reported by the NAO was due to where some of the national organisations were based rather than where the funding then goes on to be received. It explained that some organisations, such as the Football Foundation, may be distributing money nationally, but it was recorded as being distributed where they were based, in this case London.35 However, the NAO’s analysis 30 Q 59 31 Q 28 32 Qq 42, 43 33 C&AG’s report, paras 12, 2.19 and 2.2...

Sport England told us the changes in distribution of spending reported by the NAO was due to where some of the national organisations were based rather than where the funding then goes on to be received. It explained that some …

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8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

The Department told us that it had invested significantly to build and upgrade sport facilities in locations hosting major sporting events, such as the Olympic Stadium in Stratford and the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in the West Midlands. Using the NAO’s breakdown of Sport England grant funding per head in Committee member’s local authority areas, we found that in London over the period 2016–17 to 2020–21, grant funding per head was four to five times higher in those localities with a clear phys...

The Department told us that it had invested significantly to build and upgrade sport facilities in locations hosting major sporting events, such as the Olympic Stadium in Stratford and the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in the West Midlands. Using the NAO’s …

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8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

Sport England increased the number of organisations that it awarded grant funding by six-fold in 2020–21 compared to 2019–20, from 1,666 to 9,538. We asked Sport England how increasing the number of grant recipients will help improve participation in sport 38 Q 35 ; C&AG’s report, paras 9, 1.16, 3.10 39 C&AG’s Report, para 3.9 40 Q 37 41 Q 17 42 Q 36 43 Q 38 44 Q 34 Grassroots participation in sport and physical activity 17 and physical activity. Sport England told us funding provided during ...

Sport England increased the number of organisations that it awarded grant funding by six-fold in 2020–21 compared to 2019–20, from 1,666 to 9,538. We asked Sport England how increasing the number of grant recipients will help improve participation in sport …

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8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

As part of measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic, sports facilities were closed multiple times by the government. During the pandemic, Sport England distributed £271 million to the grassroots sport and physical activity in financial support and the Department provided £700 million for organisations affected by the loss of spectator ticket income and for public leisure centres.48 We asked what had been the impact of this funding, given that participation rates had not increased during this...

As part of measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic, sports facilities were closed multiple times by the government. During the pandemic, Sport England distributed £271 million to the grassroots sport and physical activity in financial support and the Department provided …

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8 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

We therefore asked the Department how it intended to address the short-term and long-term sustainability challenges facing sports clubs and facilities. The Department told us that the primary responsibility for leisure provisions sits with local government.55 Similarly, it said that it was not responsible for government’s energy policy, but noted that the energy bill relief scheme will assist sports clubs in dealing with increased costs. It said it intended to continue working with the Depart...

We therefore asked the Department how it intended to address the short-term and long-term sustainability challenges facing sports clubs and facilities. The Department told us that the primary responsibility for leisure provisions sits with local government.55 Similarly, it said that …

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8 Jan 2023 | Written evidence linked

Sport England told us that lots of sports facilities providers had used their organisational reserves to stay afloat during the pandemic and were now in a precarious financial position. The Department also recognised that “many clubs are coming out of a really difficult period and many clubs are struggling”.51 We received written evidence from the Local Government Association, which told us that the total energy bill for the leisure sector had risen from £500 million in 2019 to between £1–1.2...

Sport England told us that lots of sports facilities providers had used their organisational reserves to stay afloat during the pandemic and were now in a precarious financial position. The Department also recognised that “many clubs are coming out of …

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2022

9 events
2 Nov 2022 | Committee report linked

We also recommend that these national cultural organisations should have differing expectations as a condition of public funding, including greater accessibility for audiences nationwide and support for grassroots organisations, in a similar way as to how the “crown jewels” of sport have differing broadcasting expectations. One overall ambition for Levelling Up through culture should be that every region can boast world class institutions alongside a local, accessible grassroots cultural ecos...

We also recommend that these national cultural organisations should have differing expectations as a condition of public funding, including greater accessibility for audiences nationwide and support for grassroots organisations, in a similar way as to how the “crown jewels” of …

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31 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

There are no easy answers to the question as to what model(s) of reform to the governance arrangements for England would be successful or would satisfactorily address all the issues that we touched on during our inquiry, given the range of views. While there is unanimous agreement on this Committee that real, meaningful, and urgent changes need to be made, there is a range of different views about what these changes could or should be. The crucial point is that we recognise that the need for ...

There are no easy answers to the question as to what model(s) of reform to the governance arrangements for England would be successful or would satisfactorily address all the issues that we touched on during our inquiry, given the range …

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8 Jul 2022 | Research Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Grassroots participation in sport and physical activity

This report examines whether DCMS and Sport England have achieved value for money for spending on sport and physical activity. Report type: value_for_money | Departments: ['Department for Culture, Media & Sport'] | Topics: ['Society and culture', 'Sports and leisure']

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
25 Apr 2022 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Football Governance

UIN: HCWS781 I wish to inform the House that the Government has today published its response to the recommendations made by the Independent Fan Led Review of Football Governance.The Government’s response focuses on responding to the Review’s ten strategic recommendati...

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16 Mar 2022 | Committee report linked

The recommendations and reforms proposed in the fan led review of football governance should not be hanging over the Football Association as it goes into a bidding process for the 2028 EUFA EURO. The Government must ensure implementation of the review’s principal recommendation, the establishment of the independent regulator for English football in legislation, is completed by the time the campaign to host the 2028 competition begins in earnest. (Paragraph 26) Communicating a vision

The recommendations and reforms proposed in the fan led review of football governance should not be hanging over the Football Association as it goes into a bidding process for the 2028 EUFA EURO. The Government must ensure implementation of the …

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11 Feb 2022 | Policy paper Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Government response to the House of Lords National Plan for Sport and Recreation Committee report

A response by the government to the House of Lords National Plan for Sport and Recreation Committee report: 'A national plan for sport, health and wellbeing'.

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↓ Government response to the House of Lords National Plan for… (35pp)

2021

26 events
25 Nov 2021 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Fan-led Review of Football Governance Final Report

UIN: HCWS417 Football clubs are at the heart of our local communities. They have a unique social value and many possess great history and legacy. Fans are at the centre of our national game, which is why the Government committed …

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25 Nov 2021 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Fan-led Review of Football Governance Final Report

UIN: HLWS404 I am repeating the following Written Ministerial Statement made today in the other place by my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nadine Dorries MP:Football clubs are at the heart of …

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29 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

Year on year, we continue to see persistent gaps in activity levels between different demographics. This issue has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and certain groups in society continue to be disproportionately impacted. We acknowledge the support provided through Sport England’s ‘Tackling Inequalities Fund’ but support must be focused, as a matter of priority, on ensuring that activity levels among, in particular, women, disabled people and people from a BAME background recover and...

Year on year, we continue to see persistent gaps in activity levels between different demographics. This issue has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and certain groups in society continue to be disproportionately impacted. We acknowledge the support provided through …

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29 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

Community and grassroots sport is heavily reliant on a relatively small volunteer workforce who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to keep their clubs going. This shrinking workforce is one of the biggest challenges facing community sport post-pandemic. Sport England has placed an important focus on the issue in its new ten-year strategy, Uniting the Movement, but the sports groups affected by the declining number of volunteers need help now. In addition to our proposed ‘Work Out to ...

Community and grassroots sport is heavily reliant on a relatively small volunteer workforce who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to keep their clubs going. This shrinking workforce is one of the biggest challenges facing community sport post-pandemic. Sport England …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

Many National Governing Bodies and other sports groups and organisations were not financially stable enough to fully support themselves through the economic shock that was caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a balance to be found between 30 Sport in our communities ensuring enough money is spent to improve participation and support community and grassroots sport, and ensuring organisations can be more financially resilient in an emergency. We recommend that the Government work with Spor...

Many National Governing Bodies and other sports groups and organisations were not financially stable enough to fully support themselves through the economic shock that was caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a balance to be found between 30 Sport …

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29 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

Even in normal circumstances, volunteers in grassroots and community sport dedicate a significant amount of time to applying for funding. Organisations such as Sported and StreetGames play an important role in supporting their members to complete applications but the extensive administrative burden associated with these applications seems unnecessary, and has only increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. To reduce the administrative burden on volunteers across the sport sector, we recommend th...

Even in normal circumstances, volunteers in grassroots and community sport dedicate a significant amount of time to applying for funding. Organisations such as Sported and StreetGames play an important role in supporting their members to complete applications but the extensive …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

We welcome the introduction of the Community Ownership Fund but, at a time where many community groups have faced unprecedented challenges, we are disappointed that the bidding process did not begin in June 2021 as the Government promised it would. Access to facilities has long been an issue for grassroots and community sport and we are concerned that the fund, in its current format, will not go far enough. We were also not persuaded by the Minister’s argument that ringfencing money for sport...

We welcome the introduction of the Community Ownership Fund but, at a time where many community groups have faced unprecedented challenges, we are disappointed that the bidding process did not begin in June 2021 as the Government promised it would. …

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29 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

The evidence submitted to our inquiry about the performance of National Governing Bodies during the pandemic has been genuinely mixed. Lessons must be learned from the way funding and information was disseminated down to the grassroots during the Covid-19 pandemic. We recommend that Sport England conduct an audit of how National Governing Bodies communicate with their grassroots clubs and develop best practice guidance for all NGBs.

The evidence submitted to our inquiry about the performance of National Governing Bodies during the pandemic has been genuinely mixed. Lessons must be learned from the way funding and information was disseminated down to the grassroots during the Covid-19 pandemic. …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

The lack of diversity in the upper echelons of sports governance is striking. We acknowledge the work being undertaken by Sport England and UK Sport to Sport in our communities 31 address the issue, including the recently completed review of the Code for Sports Governance, but we are concerned that governing bodies are still experiencing such a lack of diversity seven years after the original Code was first launched. We recommend that Sport England and Sport UK should be required to publish, ...

The lack of diversity in the upper echelons of sports governance is striking. We acknowledge the work being undertaken by Sport England and UK Sport to Sport in our communities 31 address the issue, including the recently completed review of …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

Despite the need for acquired brain injury to be taken seriously by sport, the detail of which we will come onto later in this Report, both written and oral evidence to this inquiry support the health benefits to people through mass participation in sporting activity. An active lifestyle promotes overall good health, including reducing the risk of dementia in later life. (Paragraph 9) Grassroots sport

Despite the need for acquired brain injury to be taken seriously by sport, the detail of which we will come onto later in this Report, both written and oral evidence to this inquiry support the health benefits to people through …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

The current organisational structures in sport mean that there is no overall responsibility to mandate minimum standards for concussion and head trauma or to assess whether protocols are followed. The system allows sports to be funded as long as their protocols look good on paper with no effort put into assessing how those protocols work in practice. The fact that concussion does not occur at high frequency within the elite sport community means that little effort is made to drive numbers dow...

The current organisational structures in sport mean that there is no overall responsibility to mandate minimum standards for concussion and head trauma or to assess whether protocols are followed. The system allows sports to be funded as long as their …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

It is no longer acceptable for concussion to be addressed in this fashion. We recommend that the Government mandate UK Sport to take a governance role in assuring that all sports it funds raise awareness on the dangers of concussion effectively. Those sports should not only have good protocols to mitigate the risks of such injury but proactively implement those protocols.

It is no longer acceptable for concussion to be addressed in this fashion. We recommend that the Government mandate UK Sport to take a governance role in assuring that all sports it funds raise awareness on the dangers of concussion …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

We are concerned that UK Sport, uniquely in our evidence base, considers the Consensus Statement by the Concussion in Sport Group as a satisfactory basis for concussion protocols. We recognise the value in the Consensus Statement that provides a baseline for what the science can say for certain and identifies a gold standard for science in this area of research. Scientific certainty is a worthy ambition, but it should not be a prerequisite for changing sporting rules to improve safety.

We are concerned that UK Sport, uniquely in our evidence base, considers the Consensus Statement by the Concussion in Sport Group as a satisfactory basis for concussion protocols. We recognise the value in the Consensus Statement that provides a baseline …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

We recommend a more precautionary approach is taken and a greater proportion of the money spent on elite sport is focussed on protecting the athletes who are at the core of UK success in sporting endeavours. We also recommend that UK Sport fund a chief medical officer to attend events, like the Olympics, who will hold over-arching responsibility to assess the application of protocols and make decisions on who should be allowed to continue to compete in the event of injuries, including head tr...

We recommend a more precautionary approach is taken and a greater proportion of the money spent on elite sport is focussed on protecting the athletes who are at the core of UK success in sporting endeavours. We also recommend that …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

Football’s engagement with the issue of concussion, both in England and internationally, has taken too long and its current prominence is due to the campaigning of organisations like the Jeff Astle Foundation and prominent spokespersons like Chris Sutton. We would have expected the Football Association, as the National Governing Body, to have taken a stronger, sustained interest in the issue after the coroner’s verdict of Jeff Astle’s death. We would also have expected the Football Associatio...

Football’s engagement with the issue of concussion, both in England and internationally, has taken too long and its current prominence is due to the campaigning of organisations like the Jeff Astle Foundation and prominent spokespersons like Chris Sutton. We would …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

The problems faced by both football and rugby are common to a multitude of other sports which do not have the same media attention or the same resources to apply to possible solutions. One of the biggest problems is the apparent lack of clarity on who is responsible for driving change. Change has not happened quickly enough and while the science currently available to us describes the problem it does not provide solutions.

The problems faced by both football and rugby are common to a multitude of other sports which do not have the same media attention or the same resources to apply to possible solutions. One of the biggest problems is the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government immediately mandate the Health and Safety Executive to work with National Governing Bodies of all sports to establish, by July 2022, a national framework for the reporting of sporting injuries. Within a year of the framework being published, all organised sports should be required to report any event that might lead to acquired brain injury. (Paragraph 62) The need for a coherent approach

We recommend that the Government immediately mandate the Health and Safety Executive to work with National Governing Bodies of all sports to establish, by July 2022, a national framework for the reporting of sporting injuries. Within a year of the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

We find it difficult to see any downside of a coherent UK-wide protocol for concussion and recommend that the Government look to the Scottish model and then work with the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to develop, in the next 12 months, a UK protocol for concussion across all sport. This should be used by National Governing Bodies as the minimum standard in creating the rules for their sport and should take account of, and be consistent with, the national framewo...

We find it difficult to see any downside of a coherent UK-wide protocol for concussion and recommend that the Government look to the Scottish model and then work with the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to develop, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

We are concerned that there is history of the Government looking into issues of sporting safety and failing to follow through with practical interventions that would Concussion in sport 33 make a difference to the safety and health of those participating. The reports of the 2002 Working Group and by Baroness Grey-Thompson in 2017 both suggested ways to address the issue of concussion in sport and yet the Government has not progressed these. We urge the Government to grasp the nettle this time...

We are concerned that there is history of the Government looking into issues of sporting safety and failing to follow through with practical interventions that would Concussion in sport 33 make a difference to the safety and health of those …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
9 Jun 2021 | Committee report linked

The Department reduced the funding allocation to TNLCF from £310 million to £200 million around one week before it was due to start distributing funding.33 When asked why this was the case, the Department told us that it was due to the fact that Ministers wanted more flexibility in how funding was distributed and were interested in whether more could be done to leverage private donations as part of the funding distribution.34 It clarified that the decision was “absolutely not” because of a la...

The Department reduced the funding allocation to TNLCF from £310 million to £200 million around one week before it was due to start distributing funding.33 When asked why this was the case, the Department told us that it was due …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 May 2021 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Fan-led Review of Football Governance

UIN: HCWS51 This statement sets out the full membership of the advisory panel to support the work of the Honourable Member for Chatham and Aylesford, as she commences the fan-led review of football. The panel features fan representation at its …

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24 May 2021 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Fan-led Review of Football Governance

UIN: HLWS49 My Honourable Friend the Minister for Sport and Tourism, Nigel Huddleston MP, has made the following Statement:This statement sets out the full membership of the advisory panel to support the work of the Honourable Member for Chatham and …

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26 Apr 2021 | Announcement Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport linked

Fan-led Review of Football Governance

UIN: HCWS939 The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced an independent fan-led review of football governance on 19 April. This will be chaired by the Honourable Member for Chatham and Aylesford. This manifesto commitment followed a …

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2020

8 events
23 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

The many and varied sectors under the remit of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are integral to the UK’s national life and identity, as well as being vital drivers of economic growth and employment. Yet many parts of these sectors face an existential threat due to Covid-19 and the continued uncertainty that accompanies it. (Paragraph 4) Sport

The many and varied sectors under the remit of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are integral to the UK’s national life and identity, as well as being vital drivers of economic growth and employment. Yet many parts …

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23 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

We are concerned that a lack of confidence, and a fear of being in close proximity with people from outside their own household, will affect people’s return to group sports, particularly those that take place indoors (such as indoor exercise classes), those that require physical contact (such as rugby), and those that require participants to be in close proximity for extended periods of time (such as rowing). We support requests from the sport sector for clear and effective public messaging f...

We are concerned that a lack of confidence, and a fear of being in close proximity with people from outside their own household, will affect people’s return to group sports, particularly those that take place indoors (such as indoor exercise …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

The cessation of community sport countrywide during lockdown has hit under- represented groups the hardest. While we welcome the announcement that some recreational sports teams can now resume play, we are concerned about gyms and leisure centres. These facilities act as community hubs, often providing subsidised facilities to those who most need them, but have been the last sport sector to re- open. Following huge levels of uncertainty, it is essential that leisure facilities are protected a...

The cessation of community sport countrywide during lockdown has hit under- represented groups the hardest. While we welcome the announcement that some recreational sports teams can now resume play, we are concerned about gyms and leisure centres. These facilities act …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

We recognise the importance of ‘horizon-scanning’ work to ensuring people maintain and increase their activity levels, which in turn will boost their resilience to the virus. However, smaller organisations are unlikely to have the resources 56 Impact of COVID-19 on DCMS sectors: First Report available to collect data, analyse it and then act on that insight. We believe that Sport England is in the best position to continue this work. We call on DCMS to provide Sport England with the necessary...

We recognise the importance of ‘horizon-scanning’ work to ensuring people maintain and increase their activity levels, which in turn will boost their resilience to the virus. However, smaller organisations are unlikely to have the resources 56 Impact of COVID-19 on …

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23 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

The current football business model is not sustainable. The Covid-19 crisis has shone a stark light on the financial issues within football, specifically in the leagues below the Premier League. The Premier League is the main income generator of English football. If it does not step up to help the English Football League, many more clubs will follow in Bury FC’s footsteps. The EFL needs also to ensure it develops a more sustainable financial model.

The current football business model is not sustainable. The Covid-19 crisis has shone a stark light on the financial issues within football, specifically in the leagues below the Premier League. The Premier League is the main income generator of English …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

We firmly believe that football must use its response to the Covid-19 crisis to ‘reset’. The crisis has shone a light on the culture of unfair pay in football. The decision by some Premier League clubs to furlough non-playing staff was deplorable, and we welcomed its reversal. Parachute payments must become a thing of the past, and considerable work must be done to advance work on salary caps. DCMS should engage with the Premier League and the EFL to learn lessons from abroad on policies such...

We firmly believe that football must use its response to the Covid-19 crisis to ‘reset’. The crisis has shone a light on the culture of unfair pay in football. The decision by some Premier League clubs to furlough non-playing staff …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

Football must also become more representative. The fact that no Premier League club and virtually no English Football League club has a black owner, Chair or chief executive, is a fundamental inequality at the heart of the game. We do not believe that the voluntary initiative proposed by the FA will motivate clubs to act with sufficient speed. Instead, we recommend that DCMS revises the Code for Sport Governance, adding targets for BAME representation on boards. We also wish to record our dis...

Football must also become more representative. The fact that no Premier League club and virtually no English Football League club has a black owner, Chair or chief executive, is a fundamental inequality at the heart of the game. We do …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

The lack of visibility of women’s sport this summer risks undoing work to improve funding for women’s elite sport. Cancellation of women’s events is likely to reduce the number of women being inspired to take part in sporting activities. In its response to Impact of COVID-19 on DCMS sectors: First Report 57 this report, the Government should outline how it intends to support women’s sport post-crisis and ensure that, going forward, men’s elite sports are not further prioritised at the expense...

The lack of visibility of women’s sport this summer risks undoing work to improve funding for women’s elite sport. Cancellation of women’s events is likely to reduce the number of women being inspired to take part in sporting activities. In …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2019

2 events

2017

5 events

2015

3 events

2009

3 events
4 Feb 2009 | Bill stage linked

Sports Grounds Safety Authority Bill [HL]

First Reading 15:29:00 A Bill to confer further powers on the Football Licensing Authority and to amend its name; and for connected purposes. The Bill was introduced by Lord Faulkner of Worcester, read a first time and ordered to be …

▤ View Bill · ↗ Parliament