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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department makes any financial contribution (a) directly and (b) through supported organisations to FINA, Federation International de Natation; and what assessment he has made of the implications for diversity of swimming in the UK of FINA's decision to bar swimming hats designed for afro hair in the Olympics.

My department has made no such financial contributions. Decisions about international regulations are for Federation International de Natation (FINA), as the international federation for the sport.

Domestically, the Government is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in sport and physical activity, including swimming. Our strategy ‘Sporting Future’ sets out a clear ambition to increase levels of physical activity amongst under-represented groups, working closely with the sector to achieve this.

We welcome the recent partnership between Swim England and the Black Swimming Association which will continue the important work to address the inequalities in aquatic activities, and increase diversity and participation in swimming.