Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephanie Peacock and Martin Rhodes

Thursday 16th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Martin Rhodes (Glasgow North) (Lab)]

2. What steps her Department is taking to support the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth games.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)]

The UK Government have consistently backed Glasgow 2026 as a positive outcome for the games movement and for the UK. The Government are engaging partners to explore trade and investment opportunities around the games in order to support the games and maximise the benefits for the whole UK.

[Martin Rhodes]

Having recently visited the Scottish Event Campus in my constituency, which will host the opening ceremony along with a number of sports during the games, I have seen at first hand the opportunity these games represent for tourism, hospitality and local businesses. Given the importance of these events for Scotland and Glasgow’s economy, what conversations is the Minister having with the Scottish Government and the Scotland Office to ensure that the games are a success for Glasgow and that Glasgow is well placed to attract further cultural and sporting events in the years ahead?

[Stephanie Peacock]

My hon. Friend asks an excellent question. I have met regularly with the Scottish Government, the Scotland Office, the organising company and, of course, Commonwealth Sport, most recently in January this year. I also attended events in December and August last year. My Department is in regular contact with the organisers and all partners to support the games and ensure they build on Glasgow’s world-class reputation for hosting major events. He is absolutely right: there is a huge opportunity for not just sport but the economic legacy and the tourism industry.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephanie Peacock and Martin Rhodes

Thursday 27th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Martin Rhodes (Glasgow North) (Lab)]

T5. What assessment has the Secretary of State made of how hosting UEFA Euro 2028 will benefit communities across the UK, particularly through its social impact programme?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)]

This Government know that football reaches people like nothing else, and in the summer of 2028 it will bring people together across the whole of the UK. I was pleased to chair a meeting of sport Ministers a few weeks ago to discuss the tournament and its legacy. Glasgow is of course due to host five matches at the tournament, which will bring significant benefits.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephanie Peacock and Martin Rhodes

Thursday 3rd April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Martin Rhodes (Glasgow North) (Lab)]

6. What discussions she has had with the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company on the 2026 Commonwealth games.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)]

My Department is in regular contact with the organising company, and I was pleased to meet recently with both the CEO and the chair to discuss progress on delivery, at a meeting in my Department and when I was delighted to attend the King’s baton relay launch at Buckingham Palace with His Majesty the King to mark 500 days until the games. The UK has been proud to host the Commonwealth games twice since 2014, and I am delighted that the UK Government have been able to get behind and support Glasgow 2026.

[Martin Rhodes]

I thank the Minister for her response. Does she agree that it is important that the games bring benefits to local communities? What discussions is she having with colleagues in the Scotland Office, the Scottish Government and Glasgow city council to ensure that local communities in Glasgow benefit from the games in 2026?