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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason women's football was classified as a non-elite sport during the recent covid-19 lockdowns; and if he will review that classification in the event of a future lockdown.

It is up to the respective governing bodies to determine what constitutes the boundary between elite and non-elite within their sports. Government regulations relating to arrangements for sport during the COVID-19 pandemic do not distinguish between men’s and women’s sport.

We are absolutely committed to women’s sport. I meet regularly with the Football Association to discuss a range of issues, and we continue to liaise closely with them on women’s football.

It is also worth noting that in February we announced £2.25 million support for Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Championship, alongside a further announcement in March for £680,000 in grant funding for six women’s football clubs.