Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of leisure and sport facilities in Tooting constituency.

Supporting grassroots sport is a key government priority. Last year, Sport England received almost £350 million from the Government and National Lottery to fund grassroots sports projects so that everyone is able to access quality sport and physical activity opportunities, and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that exercise provides.

Since 2019, Sport England has invested more than £117,000 across 24 projects into grassroots sport in Tooting. This includes £17,500 of funding which was used to resurface the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at Ravenstone Primary school. In 2022, funding from the government via the Football Foundation helped develop a new 3G pitch for the AFC Wimbledon Foundation, where they run walking football, a girls pathway and more.

The availability of leisure facilities is a matter for the Local Authority. At the Spring Budget, we announced a £63 million package to support public swimming pools, to be delivered through Local Authorities.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has committed to delivering a new sport strategy that will set the direction for the Government's priorities and its role in the sport sector. This strategy will support grassroots sport by having a specific focus on ensuring that everyone has access to appropriate and accessible opportunities to get active.