Diane Abbott

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport monitors applicant diversity data through the Public Appointments Digital Service. This information is provided in confidence and is collected and processed in accordance with the Department's privacy notice. As it is confidential personal data, the Department is unable to release information on the gender or ethnicity of applicants or shortlisted candidates.

Since the Independent Football Regulator was established in 2025, the Secretary of State has appointed seven non-executive members to its Board, and recused herself from the appointment of the Chair. Details of the Board's membership are published on the Independent Football Regulator's website. Information relating to the protected characteristics of individual appointees is personal data and is not disclosed.

We want a national game that reflects the diversity of our communities and ensures clubs truly represent the supporters they serve. However, we recognise there is under-representation of our diverse communities in senior leadership roles across the game.

The Independent Football Regulator’s board members bring skills and experience across football, the media, regulation, law, finance and other industries. We are confident that this balance of regulatory oversight and industry insight allows the IFR to meet its statutory objectives.

The IFR is setting statutory governance requirements on clubs, where they must report on what action they are taking with regard to equality, diversity and inclusion. These are more stringent than those previously set by football bodies.

The Cabinet Office and the Commissioner for Public Appointments publish annual data reports detailing public appointments made by government departments. These reports include data on various diversity metrics, including ethnic background.

To protect the identity of individuals within smaller ethnicity groups, the public appointment data is broken down by white and ethnic minority categories only. The reports are publicly available on GOV.UK.

• https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/publications/annual-reports/

• https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-public-appointments-data-report

The Cabinet Office and the Commissioner for Public Appointments publish annual data reports detailing public appointments made by government departments. These reports include data on various diversity metrics, including ethnic background.

To protect the identity of individuals within smaller ethnicity groups, the public appointment data is broken down by white and ethnic minority categories only. The reports are publicly available on GOV.UK.

• https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/publications/annual-reports/

• https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-public-appointments-data-report

All children and young people should have every opportunity to succeed, no matter who they are or where they are from. Our work to deliver the Opportunity Mission aims to improve opportunities for all children and young people across the country. High and rising standards in every school are at the heart of this mission and the key to strengthening outcomes and building a better future for all children no matter their background.

That means an excellent teacher for every child, a high quality curriculum, strong accountability with faster school improvement and an inclusive system which removes the barriers to learning.

We are tackling inequalities in the system head-on through our plan for change by rolling out free breakfast clubs in every state-funded primary school, improving mental health support and delivering a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work, and reflects the diversities of our society.

We have considered the report. The Government has been clear since day one that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) must be upheld, and civilians protected. The UK supports Israel’s right to self-defence, but it must do this in accordance with international humanitarian law. The death and destruction in Gaza is intolerable. Too many civilians have been killed and we need to prevent further bloodshed now. What is urgently needed is an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, protection of civilians including a rapid increase in aid getting into Gaza, and a pathway to a two-state solution.

In February this year, the Prime Minister announced that NATO qualifying defence spending will increase to 2.5% GDP by 2027-28. It will be fully funded by reducing Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5% to 0.3% GNI by the same year. Further details of cash terms savings from reducing ODA can be found in the Spring Statement 2025 document here:

CP1298 – Spring Statement 2025

Individual departmental budgets will be confirmed at the conclusion of the spending review on 11 June.

In February this year, the Prime Minister announced that NATO qualifying defence spending will increase to 2.5% GDP by 2027-28. It will be fully funded by reducing Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5% to 0.3% GNI by the same year. Further details of cash terms savings from reducing ODA can be found in the Spring Statement 2025 document here:

CP1298 – Spring Statement 2025

Individual departmental budgets will be confirmed at the conclusion of the spending review on 11 June.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 18 June 2026 to Questions 9355, 9356 and 9357.