Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the PE and Sport Premium arrangements on (a) the number of sports coaches employed by primary schools and (b) schools’ ability to participate in inter-school sporting events in the 2026-27 academic year.

Whilst the PE and sport premium could be used by schools to hire external coaches to teach specialist sports and physical activities, it cannot be used to fund staff salaries.

The government has confirmed funding for the School Games Organiser Network until the end of the 2026/27 financial year, supporting schools, increasing participation and delivering inclusive school sport opportunities and competitions.

The government is investing over £1 billion in PE, school sport and physical activity through to 2029, including more than £530 million for the Partnerships Network. Our new approach will ensure funding makes a real difference in tackling inactivity and providing equal access to sport for all pupils. Support will align more closely with wider programmes and include competitive sport opportunities, extra-curricular activities and inclusive events for less‑active pupils.