Sporting Events Bill [HL]

Lord Addington Excerpts

3rd reading
Tuesday 21st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

My Lords, this Bill seeks to establish a framework that enables certain sporting events to benefit from the enhanced commercial protections needed to preserve the integrity of events and, importantly, offset costs to taxpayers. These provisions will help ensure that the United Kingdom remains an attractive host for major sporting events and continues to build on its world-leading reputation in this field.

On Report, I committed to further engagement with noble Lords and our outstanding recurrent sporting events sector over the summer. I understand the views of your Lordships’ House on this matter and am committed to properly assessing all the considerations and possible unintended consequences before determining appropriate next steps. I reiterate that the environment will be a clear consideration as this Government develop a major events strategy to be published in the spring.

I thank all noble Lords who have contributed during highly constructive debates and, through their time and expertise, have sought to strengthen the Bill. Specifically, I thank the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Front Benches, as well as the noble Baronesses, Lady Evans of Bowes Park and Lady Grey-Thompson, and the noble Lord, Lord Holmes of Richmond, for their constructive approach and engagement. I also thank my officials for their considerable support and patience during the Bill’s passage. I am grateful for the engagement with the Bill and its broad support across your Lordships’ House. As I have said before, if we get this right, the benefits will be felt far beyond the field of play. I beg to move.

[Lord Addington (LD)]

My Lords, this was a Bill where the only disagreement we had was that we did not think the Government were brave enough with their own ideas. It does not often happen that we actually get through to a position, and I think we did. Just to remind ourselves, we did it by those on this side of the House working together in a constructive manner. I hope we can remember that in future and make sure that when we have some agreement, bringing it forth in a coherent manner means we get something better. I hear what the Government have said on this. I take heart from it, but I ask them to remember that they can be braver when they have a good idea. I am not often going to say this, but on this occasion I am.