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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of to Question 56576, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the interview conducted by the Sports Councils Equality Group as part of the evaluation of Guidance for Transgender Inclusion in Domestic Sport 2021, published September 2021, that revealed problems with (a) intimidation, (b) threats of non-selection and (c) sanctions aimed at individuals in UK sports organisations that support fair sport.

The government is clear that there is no place for discrimination or intimidation in any sport, at any level. The Sports Councils Equality Group (SCEG) transgender inclusion guidance is intended to help provide support and clarity for National Governing Bodies operating in a complex environment. The review was carried out in recognition that the previous guidance was outdated and that sport at every level required more practical advice and support.

With reference to the answer provided on 18th October 2021 to questions 56575-56576, the SCEG guidance provides a decision making framework and a variety of different approaches for the National Governing Bodies of each sport to define the best options for their sport, subject to their assessment of inclusion, fairness and safety.

Sports governing bodies each have their own rules on transgender issues and it is appropriate that they can determine the right position for their own sport.

The Sports Councils are not regulators of sport, and the SCEG document serves as guidance that is independent from funding. The expectations for sporting organisations that receive public funding are set out in the Code for Sport Governance.

The government will continue to work through our arm’s length bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, to support National Governing Bodies in reviewing their policies for their sport.