Found: preferred candidate for chair of the new independent football regulator established by the Football Governance Bill

Found: through Parliament Small (2025-26) Independent Football Regulator Regulator of football Football Governance Bill

Found: Whilst landmark pieces of legislation such as the Football Governance Bill address structural issues

Found: The Football Governance Bill is going through Parliament at the moment—I do not know when it is scheduled

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Football Governance Bill on the financial health of non premier league football clubs.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Clubs across the football pyramid have suffered from the consequences of reckless spending, unmanaged debts and poor ownership. That is why the government has introduced the Football Governance Bill which aims to improve the financial sustainability of all clubs in scope, including clubs outside the Premier League, by addressing these key issues, improving the systemic financial resilience of the whole football pyramid.

This Bill will take a proportionate and light touch approach to regulation to avoid undue burden and has been designed through extensive consultation with clubs across the football pyramid.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's guidance entitled Public Bodies Handbook – Part 2: The Approvals Process for the Creation of New Arm’s-Length Bodies, whether his Department's public bodies team assessed the Independent Football Regulator against the requirement that the creation of a new arm's length body should only be considered as a last resort; whether the Department for Culture, Media and Sport provided evidence that alternative delivery models were considered; and which of the three tests in Chapter 2 of that guidance Independent Football Regulator met.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently working through the approval process to establish the Independent Football Regulator as an Arm’s Length Body, in parallel to the passage of the Football Governance Bill.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential financial impact of the Football Governance Bill on the (a) administrative and (b) compliance activities of English football clubs.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Regulator will work with clubs to ensure the new regulatory regime is light touch and streamlined. The government’s impact assessment estimates compliance costs to be between £22.8 million and £46.1million over ten years.

The largest clubs in scope are expected to experience an increase of between 0.5 full-time equivalents (FTE) and 2.5 FTE, depending on existing levels of compliance. We anticipate the smallest clubs in scope are expected to experience a total increase of between 0.1 FTE and 0.5 FTE, depending on existing levels of compliance.

Regulation will improve the financial sustainability of clubs and the same assessment estimated that the benefit of regulation would far offset the cost.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the (a) Premier League and (b) English Football League on the cost of football tickets; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of recent trends in the cost of football tickets on supporters.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Football is nothing without its fans and the Government is keen to see as many people as possible benefit from and enjoy the spectacle of live sport.

The matter of ticket prices is a commercial decision for individual clubs and leagues to take. However, the Government remains in conversation with stakeholders to ensure that fans are engaged properly.

This is also why the Government has introduced legislation to establish an Independent Football Regulator to protect and promote the sustainability of English football in the interests of fans and the local communities football clubs serve.

As a result of changes made by this Government, the Football Governance Bill will now explicitly require clubs to consult their supporters on ticket prices making sure their voice is heard on this key issue.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Football Governance Bill on Leicester City Football Club.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Independent Football Regulator will take a light-touch, targeted and proportionate approach. The requirements on individual clubs will reflect their circumstances, meaning they might vary based on factors like league, club size, and a club’s financial health or riskiness.

From our significant engagement with clubs and leagues, we expect the impact on most clubs to be modest.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the powers in the Football Governance Bill for the independent football regulator to require football clubs to set out action they are taking on equality, diversity and inclusion.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Clubs will be required to report on what action they are taking with regard to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as part of the corporate governance code included within the Football Governance Bill.

EDI is a key part of good corporate governance. Good EDI on boards and in clubs promotes better governance, decision-making and transparency, all of which links to improved financial sustainability.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Football Governance Bill on football clubs in the Premier League.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Premier League is a global success story. It is one of our greatest cultural exports. It attracts more viewers and higher revenues than any of its international rivals. It is a product we want to protect and enhance.

The Football Governance Bill will create a clearer and more certain regulatory environment for investors which will drive future investment and growth so that English football remains a global success story. A more sustainable game is a more investable game, and this in turn should drive continued economic growth in the market.

The Independent Football Regulator will take a light-touch, targeted and proportionate approach. The requirements on clubs will reflect their circumstances, meaning they might vary based on factors like league, club size, and a club’s financial health or riskiness. This will allow regulation to be light-touch wherever possible - meaning, where clubs are already well run, the Regulator will not look to intervene.

The Government’s estimate of the economic impact of introducing a football regulator is set out in our Impact Assessment.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with (a) UEFA, (b) FIFA and (c) the International Olympic Committee on the publication of correspondence on the proposal to introduce a football regulator.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

This Government, and the previous one, has engaged extensively with a wide range of stakeholders as the policy set out in the Football Governance Bill has developed over the last 3 years. This includes engagement with UEFA and FIFA. These discussions have been constructive, and we continue to speak to the relevant football authorities on a regular basis.

The Government does not share private correspondence provided to us by stakeholders including international organisations.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help make lower league football clubs more financially viable.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government introduced a strengthened Football Governance Bill in October 2024, establishing an independent regulator and a new set of rules to protect clubs, empower fans and keep clubs at the heart of their communities. The Regulator will protect and promote the long term financial sustainability of the game.

The legislation is progressing and the Bill concluded its Committee Stage in the other place on 15 January.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with UEFA regarding the Football Governance Bill.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This Government, and the previous one, has engaged extensively with a wide range of stakeholders as the policy set out in the Football Governance Bill has developed over the last 3 years. This includes engagement with UEFA.

These discussions have been constructive, and we continue to speak to the relevant football authorities on a regular basis.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of A22's new Unify League proposals on English football.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Prime Minister has made it very clear that there will be no Super League-style breakaway from English football.

As part of the strengthened Football Governance Bill, the Regulator will be able to prevent English clubs from joining future breakaway competitions by taking into account factors such as sustainability, heritage and fairness. The Regulator will be obliged to gather the views of fans and consult the FA before it prohibits a competition.

This approach is the most effective way of stopping unwanted competitions that do not adhere to the principles of how sport operates in this country, are not supported by fans, and that risk undermining the English football pyramid.

The Football Governance Bill was introduced on 24 October.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether, following Committee Stage of the Football Governance Bill, they intend to continue with plans to provide the Secretary of State with legislative powers to define the beginning and end dates of the season for football competitions.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This power is required so that in the case of any potential future changes to a football season and how it is calculated, the Secretary of State is able to quickly make corrective amendments to the definition.

This power is not about amending the industry’s definition of a season. The current definition of a football season within the Bill is accurate for the current situation. If the current situation were to change, the Secretary of State should have the ability to alter this definition to ensure the regime is still operational.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the meaning is of “exercises a higher degree of influence or control over” club, as set out as part of the proposed Owners’ and Directors’ test in Clause 3(2)(b) of the Football Governance Bill.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

A club’s ultimate owner is defined as the owner who has the highest degree of influence or control over the activities of the club.

A club can have more than one ultimate owner if those owners - all have the same degree of influence or control.

The definition of “significant influence or control” by owners will be set out in Secretary of State guidance, which will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will place copies of all correspondence with UEFA, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee regarding the proposal to introduce a Football Regulator in the Library of the House.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As has been reiterated throughout the Committee stage of the Football Governance Bill, it would not be appropriate to publish private correspondence with any stakeholders in the Library of the House.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government which of the Premier League of English Football League Clubs were consulted on the proposal to include parachute payments in the Football Governance Bill and on which dates those meetings took place.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Football Governance Bill is the culmination of almost five years of work. During this time, there has been extensive engagement with key stakeholders by the department (which included regular meetings with the Premier League, where policy such as parachute payments were discussed) and by the Minister for Sport, whilst she was in Opposition.

Ahead of the introduction of the Football Governance Bill, DCMS Ministers met with Brentford, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Everton and parachute payments were discussed. A significant number of meetings also took place with the Premier League executive, who represent their members and have advocated on behalf of clubs. Similar meetings were also held with the EFL and National League executives and clubs.

The Secretary of State and Minister for Sport invited all clubs to meet on 23rd October where the Bill was again discussed.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps with the shadow Football Regulator to prevent English football clubs from joining breakaway leagues.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Football Governance Bill will create a Regulator that will be able to prevent English clubs from joining a future breakaway competition, taking into account factors like sustainability, heritage, fairness and meritocracy.

The Regulator will be obliged to gather the views of fans and consult the FA before it prohibits a competition.

This approach is the most effective way of stopping unwanted competitions that do not adhere to the principles of how sport operates in this country, are not supported by fans, and that risk undermining the English football pyramid.

The Shadow Football Regulator is a transition team that is working in parallel with the passage of the Football Governance Bill to set up the Independent Football Regulator. It does not have powers to regulate or take forward the provisions in the Football Governance Bill until after Royal Assent.

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] 2024-25

Found: Football Governance Bill: call for evidence

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] 2024-25

Found: FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE BILL Memorandum from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to

Found: FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE BILL EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS MEMORANDUM ON INTRODUCTION

Found: Bill 213—EN [59/1] FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE BILL [HL] EXPLANATORY NOTES What these notes do

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] [NOTE: The words marked in bold type were inserted by the Lords to avoid

Found: Bill 213—EN [59/1] FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE BILL [HL] EXPLANATORY NOTES What these notes do

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] [NOTE: The words marked in bold type were inserted by the Lords to avoid

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] [AS AMENDED ON REPORT] CONTENTS PART 1 PURPOSE, OVERVIEW AND KEY DEFINITIONS

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] SECOND MARSHALLED LIST OF AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED ON REPORT The amendments

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED ON REPORT [Supplementary to the Marshalled List

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] MARSHALLED LIST OF AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED ON REPORT The amendments

Found: Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee HL Paper 90 16th Report of Session 2024–25 Football Governance Bill

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS ON REPORT Tabled up to and including

Found: INT2025/02314/DC My Lords, During the 18th December Committee debate on the Football Governance Bill

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS ON REPORT Tabled up to and including

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS ON REPORT Tabled up to and including

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS ON REPORT Tabled up to and including

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS ON REPORT Tabled up to and including

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS ON REPORT Tabled up to and including

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] [AS AMENDED IN COMMITTEE] CONTENTS PART 1 PURPOSE, OVERVIEW AND KEY

Found: on the question you raised during the sixth Committee Stage debate on 18 December of the Football Governance Bill

Found: Football Governance Bill [HL] SEVENTH MARSHALLED LIST OF AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED IN COMMITTEE OF THE

Found: I am grateful for your contributions during the 16 December Committee debate of the Football Governance Bill

Found: question you raised during the fourth Committee Stage debate on the 11th December of the Football Governance Bill

Found: INT2024/09650/DC My Lords, During Monday’s debate on amendments 19 and 21 to the Football Governance Bill

Found: November 2024 INT2024/09352/DC My Lords, During the Second Reading of the Football Governance Bill

Found: I am writing to follow up on the questions you raised during the Second Reading of the Football Governance Bill

Found: Dear Baroness Grey-Thompson, I am writing to you following the Second Reading of the Football Governance Bill

Found: The Football Governance Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, will establish the Independent

Found: Lisa Nandy 2024-10-09 The EFL Engagement to discuss Football Governance Bill Lisa Nandy 2024-10

Found: -07-16 Football Supporters Association Introductory discussion on issues relating to the football governance bill

Found: and reforms to ensure sustainability in the legal aid sector (Ministry of Justice) • the Football Governance Bill

Found: Letter dated 03/12/2025 from Baroness Twycross to Lord Hayward regarding the Football Governance Bill

Found: Letter dated 03/12/2025 from Baroness Twycross to Lord Hayward regarding the Football Governance Bill

Found: regarding the costs of regulation, as discussed during the Committee stage (sixth day) of the Football Governance Bill

Found: dated 13/02/2025 from Baroness Twycross to Lord Scriven regarding an issue raised during the Football Governance Bill

Found: Twycross to Lord Moynihan regarding points raised during the Committee stage (fifth day) of the Football Governance Bill

Found: on 9 October was responded to, as discussed during the Committee stage (sixth day) of the Football Governance Bill

Found: conditions can be imposed, as discussed during the Committee stage (fifth day) of the Football Governance Bill

Found: dated 19/12/2024 from Baroness Twycross to Lord Mann regarding a question raised during the Football Governance Bill

Found: 2024 from Baroness Twycross to Baroness Grey-Thompson regarding women's football and the Football Governance Bill