Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to reduce (a) racism, (b) sexism and (c) other forms of discrimination within sports.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government’s stance is unequivocal: racism, sexism, or any other form of discrimination has absolutely no place in our society, and no place in sport and activity. We are committed to stamping it out, from the elite level to the grassroots, ensuring that sport truly is for everyone, regardless of their background or ethnicity.
The Government is working closely with the sector, particularly its Arm’s Length Bodies Sport England and UK Sport, and the national governing bodies, to tackle racism and discrimination in sport.
Implemented by Sport England and UK Sport, the UK Code for Sports Governance has been a powerful tool for improving good governance and diversity in the sector, making these a non-negotiable condition of public funding. It has directly influenced the composition and culture of sports organisations by requiring them to actively address equality, diversity, and inclusion.
It is clear, however, that more needs to be done. The Government will continue to work with the sector and relevant organisations to fight discrimination in sport.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will (a) have discussions with Cabinet colleagues and (b) make it her policy to implement mandatory health screenings for people engaged in (a) professional and (b) semi-professional sports.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely paramount.
National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and professional sports leagues where applicable are responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm. NGBs and sports leagues are independent of Government, but the Government expects them to make the health and safety of players their top priority.
The Government will continue to discuss athlete safety with sports and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many times their Department has accepted in full the position of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s (a) findings and (b) recommendations on (i) issuing an apology and (ii) other forms of redress in the last 10 years.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding the Government has provided to the youth sector in each year since 2015.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Government recognises the vital role that youth services and activities play in improving the life chances and wellbeing of young people. Between 2015 - 2021 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), including the National Citizen Service (NCS) Trust, have provided over £1.1 billion to the youth sector. This does not include funding provided to the youth sector by DCMS’ other arms-length bodies, other government department programmes or Local Authorities, as we do not hold this data.
Over this Spending Review Period, DCMS is investing over £500 million in youth services to deliver the National Youth Guarantee, a government commitment that by 2025, every young person will have access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether it was her Department's policy to allow Birmingham Council to apply a hotel tax during the Commonwealth Games.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games were delivered on time and within budget, creating huge benefits for Birmingham, the West Midlands and the UK. It was not Government’s policy for a hotel tax to be applied during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and so, as such, legislation to provide for such a levy was not brought forward as part of the preparations for the Games.