Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department plans to take to (a) level up and (b) improve the provision of services for young people in (i) Leicester East constituency and (ii) Leicester.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the vital role that youth services and activities play in improving the life chances and wellbeing of young people.
Recognising this, the Government has committed to a National Youth Guarantee: that by 2025, every young person will have access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer. This is supported by a three-year investment of over £500 million in youth services, reflecting young people's priorities and addressing the inconsistencies in national youth spending with a firm focus on levelling up.
As part of the National Youth Guarantee, the Youth Investment Fund will level up access to services for young people across the country. The Youth Investment Fund will target investment in less advantaged areas of England, where young people have the greatest need. The £300m fund is place-based and locally led, with 45 local authorities and over 600 district wards eligible to apply. Leicester, including Leicester East, has been eligible for this funding and although the fund is now closed for new applications, we anticipate making the next round of funding announcements this summer.
Young people in Leicester will also benefit from other elements of the National Youth Guarantee, for example, a year-round National Citizen Service programme; increased access to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; expanded uniformed youth groups and volunteering opportunities through the #iwill Fund.
Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will provide (a) funding and (b) support to African, Caribbean and Asian cricket associations to tackle exclusion and inequality in all aspects of the game, particularly under representation among umpires, coaches and match officials.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The national governing body for cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) assesses trends in representation in the sport. This includes the level of representation of African, Caribbean and Asian coaches, umpires and match officials. The Government and Sport England is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion across all sport and physical activity.
The ECB developed the African-Caribbean Engagement Programme (ACE) in 2020 to address a 75% decline in cricket participation by members of the Black community in cricket. It has now been established as an independent charity and received £540,000 in funding from Sport England and a grant from the ECB that has allowed a programme to be launched in Birmingham in 2021.
The ECB launched its South Asian Action Plan in 2018, also funded by Sport England. This focuses on increasing racial diversity and opening up access to cricket, including facilities and delivery of bespoke formats of the sport for the community’s needs. After the success of the first investment of £1 million, this has recently been awarded an additional £1 million for the next 2 years.
The report on ‘Racial equality in cricket’ identified a range of actions for the ECB. Sport England provides support, guidance and funding to help national governing bodies, including the ECB, to help them increase diversity and inclusion in their organisations.
There is still more to do, however, and we will continue to liaise with the ECB to ensure this issue is tackled effectively, and that recommendations from the newly established Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, are implemented.
Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the report by the Cricket Board of England and Wales, Racial equality in cricket, published in 1997, whether his Department has implemented the recommendations set out in that report.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The national governing body for cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) assesses trends in representation in the sport. This includes the level of representation of African, Caribbean and Asian coaches, umpires and match officials. The Government and Sport England is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion across all sport and physical activity.
The ECB developed the African-Caribbean Engagement Programme (ACE) in 2020 to address a 75% decline in cricket participation by members of the Black community in cricket. It has now been established as an independent charity and received £540,000 in funding from Sport England and a grant from the ECB that has allowed a programme to be launched in Birmingham in 2021.
The ECB launched its South Asian Action Plan in 2018, also funded by Sport England. This focuses on increasing racial diversity and opening up access to cricket, including facilities and delivery of bespoke formats of the sport for the community’s needs. After the success of the first investment of £1 million, this has recently been awarded an additional £1 million for the next 2 years.
The report on ‘Racial equality in cricket’ identified a range of actions for the ECB. Sport England provides support, guidance and funding to help national governing bodies, including the ECB, to help them increase diversity and inclusion in their organisations.
There is still more to do, however, and we will continue to liaise with the ECB to ensure this issue is tackled effectively, and that recommendations from the newly established Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, are implemented.
Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of representation of African, Caribbean and Asian coaches, umpires and match officials at all levels of cricket in England and Wales.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The national governing body for cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) assesses trends in representation in the sport. This includes the level of representation of African, Caribbean and Asian coaches, umpires and match officials. The Government and Sport England is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion across all sport and physical activity.
The ECB developed the African-Caribbean Engagement Programme (ACE) in 2020 to address a 75% decline in cricket participation by members of the Black community in cricket. It has now been established as an independent charity and received £540,000 in funding from Sport England and a grant from the ECB that has allowed a programme to be launched in Birmingham in 2021.
The ECB launched its South Asian Action Plan in 2018, also funded by Sport England. This focuses on increasing racial diversity and opening up access to cricket, including facilities and delivery of bespoke formats of the sport for the community’s needs. After the success of the first investment of £1 million, this has recently been awarded an additional £1 million for the next 2 years.
The report on ‘Racial equality in cricket’ identified a range of actions for the ECB. Sport England provides support, guidance and funding to help national governing bodies, including the ECB, to help them increase diversity and inclusion in their organisations.
There is still more to do, however, and we will continue to liaise with the ECB to ensure this issue is tackled effectively, and that recommendations from the newly established Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, are implemented.
Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he plans to take to tackle racism within cricket.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
There is no place for racism in sport or anywhere in society. I am extremely concerned by the recent reports of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and welcome the steps taken by the ECB to launch an investigation into the matter. This must be transparent and swift, for the benefit of cricket. The ECB must carry out their investigation unhindered, but the Government will be monitoring the situation at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the ECB closely.
The ECB has also launched the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, chaired by Cindy Butts, building on the work they have done across the game to increase diversity. The Azeem Rafiq case shows how much more needs to be done to stamp out racism in the game and the Government would urge anyone who has experienced discrimination to come forward with this.
The forthcoming update of UK Sport and Sport England’s Code for Sports Governance will place an increased focus on diversity in decision making and ensuring that sports organisations reflect the community they serve. Sports receiving the most public funding will be required to agree a diversity and inclusion action plan with Sport England and UK Sport, which will be published and updated annually.
Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps his Department has taken to support victims of racist abuse within cricket.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
There is no place for racism in sport or anywhere in society. I am extremely concerned by the recent reports of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and welcome the steps taken by the ECB to launch an investigation into the matter. This must be transparent and swift, for the benefit of cricket. The ECB must carry out their investigation unhindered, but the Government will be monitoring the situation at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the ECB closely.
The ECB has also launched the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, chaired by Cindy Butts, building on the work they have done across the game to increase diversity. The Azeem Rafiq case shows how much more needs to be done to stamp out racism in the game and the Government would urge anyone who has experienced discrimination to come forward with this.
The forthcoming update of UK Sport and Sport England’s Code for Sports Governance will place an increased focus on diversity in decision making and ensuring that sports organisations reflect the community they serve. Sports receiving the most public funding will be required to agree a diversity and inclusion action plan with Sport England and UK Sport, which will be published and updated annually.
Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will (a) make anti-racism, equality and diversity targets in cricket a ministerial priority and (b) report annually on the progress being made on achieving those targets.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The forthcoming update of UK Sport and Sport England’s “Code for Sports Governance” will place an increased focus on diversity in decision making and ensuring that sports organisations reflect the community they serve.
Sports receiving the most public funding will be required to agree a diversity and inclusion action plan with Sport England and UK Sport, which will be published and updated annually.
Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish an annual report on the progress being made to achieve diversity and equality targets within cricket at all levels.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is clear that racism has no place in cricket, sport, or society at large. Our sport and physical activity strategy ‘Sporting Future’ has diversity and inclusion at its heart. In addition, Sport England’s new ten year strategy, “Uniting the Movement”, reinforces their commitment to increasing diversity and inclusion in grassroots sport and physical activity. However, it is ultimately for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), as for all individual sports’ national governing bodies, to decide on the specific aims and appropriate initiatives to increase diversity in their organisations, and to evaluate progress with these.
We welcome the steps taken by the ECB in recent years to increase diversity in cricket, including the recent establishment of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, chaired by Cindy Butts. This body looks to examine all issues relating to race and equity in cricket. The evaluation will play an important role in ensuring inclusivity, and that cricket is a game for everyone.
Since 2009, Sport England funding has directly contributed to a number of cricket participation projects with an equality, diversity and inclusion focus run by the ECB. This is in addition to the requirements around diversity set out in the UK Sport and Sport England Code for Sports Governance since 2017.
One example of the ECB’s work on diversity, funded by Sport England, is the South Asian Action Plan. This focuses on increasing racial diversity and opening up access to cricket, including facilities and delivery of bespoke formats of the sport for the community’s needs. After the success of the first investment of £1 million, this has recently been awarded an additional £1 million for the next 2 years.
There is still more to do, however, and we will continue to liaise with the ECB ensure this issue is tackled effectively and that recommendations from the commission are implemented.
Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) African, (b) Caribbean and (c) Asian (i) players, (ii) umpires, (iii) coaches (iv) and staff are protected when alleging (A) race discrimination, (B) ball tampering and (C) any other form of unlawful behaviour within the game.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is clear that racism has no place in cricket, sport, or society at large. Our sport and physical activity strategy ‘Sporting Future’ has diversity and inclusion at its heart. In addition, Sport England’s new ten year strategy, “Uniting the Movement”, reinforces their commitment to increasing diversity and inclusion in grassroots sport and physical activity. However, it is ultimately for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), as for all individual sports’ national governing bodies, to decide on the specific aims and appropriate initiatives to increase diversity in their organisations, and to evaluate progress with these.
We welcome the steps taken by the ECB in recent years to increase diversity in cricket, including the recent establishment of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, chaired by Cindy Butts. This body looks to examine all issues relating to race and equity in cricket. The evaluation will play an important role in ensuring inclusivity, and that cricket is a game for everyone.
Since 2009, Sport England funding has directly contributed to a number of cricket participation projects with an equality, diversity and inclusion focus run by the ECB. This is in addition to the requirements around diversity set out in the UK Sport and Sport England Code for Sports Governance since 2017.
One example of the ECB’s work on diversity, funded by Sport England, is the South Asian Action Plan. This focuses on increasing racial diversity and opening up access to cricket, including facilities and delivery of bespoke formats of the sport for the community’s needs. After the success of the first investment of £1 million, this has recently been awarded an additional £1 million for the next 2 years.
There is still more to do, however, and we will continue to liaise with the ECB ensure this issue is tackled effectively and that recommendations from the commission are implemented.
Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of (a) unconscious bias and (b) anti-racism training for decision makers of the England and Wales Cricket Board and its delegated authority to its regional bodies.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is clear that racism has no place in cricket, sport, or society at large. Our sport and physical activity strategy ‘Sporting Future’ has diversity and inclusion at its heart. In addition, Sport England’s new ten year strategy, “Uniting the Movement”, reinforces their commitment to increasing diversity and inclusion in grassroots sport and physical activity. However, it is ultimately for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), as for all individual sports’ national governing bodies, to decide on the specific aims and appropriate initiatives to increase diversity in their organisations, and to evaluate progress with these.
We welcome the steps taken by the ECB in recent years to increase diversity in cricket, including the recent establishment of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, chaired by Cindy Butts. This body looks to examine all issues relating to race and equity in cricket. The evaluation will play an important role in ensuring inclusivity, and that cricket is a game for everyone.
Since 2009, Sport England funding has directly contributed to a number of cricket participation projects with an equality, diversity and inclusion focus run by the ECB. This is in addition to the requirements around diversity set out in the UK Sport and Sport England Code for Sports Governance since 2017.
One example of the ECB’s work on diversity, funded by Sport England, is the South Asian Action Plan. This focuses on increasing racial diversity and opening up access to cricket, including facilities and delivery of bespoke formats of the sport for the community’s needs. After the success of the first investment of £1 million, this has recently been awarded an additional £1 million for the next 2 years.
There is still more to do, however, and we will continue to liaise with the ECB ensure this issue is tackled effectively and that recommendations from the commission are implemented.