Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
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 potential impact of the proposed changes to the Women’s FA Cup on (a) domestic women’s leagues, (b) player welfare and (c) fans.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Football Association (the national governing body for football) is independent of the Government and independently determines how they organise their competitions.
Karen Carney’s 2023 Independent Review of Women’s Football made a series of recommendations for key stakeholders in the game to take forward which included a recommendation that the FA make a clear commitment to equalising FA Cup prize money as soon as is feasible. Following the review, the Minister for Sport has convened the Women’s Football Taskforce with industry stakeholders including the FA and Football Supporters’ Association, to drive forward the recommendations of Karen Carney’s review.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Football Supporters Association regarding proposed changes to the Women’s FA Cup.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Football Association (the national governing body for football) is independent of the Government and independently determines how they organise their competitions.
Karen Carney’s 2023 Independent Review of Women’s Football made a series of recommendations for key stakeholders in the game to take forward which included a recommendation that the FA make a clear commitment to equalising FA Cup prize money as soon as is feasible. Following the review, the Minister for Sport has convened the Women’s Football Taskforce with industry stakeholders including the FA and Football Supporters’ Association, to drive forward the recommendations of Karen Carney’s review.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the FA regarding proposed changes to the Women’s FA Cup.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Football Association (the national governing body for football) is independent of the Government and independently determines how they organise their competitions.
Karen Carney’s 2023 Independent Review of Women’s Football made a series of recommendations for key stakeholders in the game to take forward which included a recommendation that the FA make a clear commitment to equalising FA Cup prize money as soon as is feasible. Following the review, the Minister for Sport has convened the Women’s Football Taskforce with industry stakeholders including the FA and Football Supporters’ Association, to drive forward the recommendations of Karen Carney’s review.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on what intelligence was shared by West Midlands Police with (a) the UK Football Policing Unit, (b) the National Police Chiefs Council and (c) her Department.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Affairs Select Committee held evidence sessions on 1 December and 6 January to examine West Midlands Police’s intelligence assessments underpinning the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.
As I committed to the House of Commons, I have provided details of my correspondence with the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police to the Home Affairs Select Committee. Correspondence and evidence submitted to the Committee are routinely published on its official website, ensuring full transparency.
In addition, the Home Office has published HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary’s inspection report, which considers the information and intelligence in respect of the match assessment and categorisation produced by West Midlands Police. The report can be found at the following link: Inspection of police forces’ contributions to safety advisory groups: West Midlands Police - GOV.UK
Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral Answer of 26 November 2025, Official Report, House of Lords, Column 1331, on West Midlands Police: Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans, whether West Midlands Police sent notice of the decision to recommend a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters to her Department before it went to the Safety Advisory Group.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Officials were first informed on 2 October 2025 that West Midlands Police were considering a range of options to manage safety and security risks around the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match, including the potential restriction of away fans.
During this period, officials maintained contact solely with the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit to monitor developments and keep ministers updated. Neither ministers nor officials were involved in the decision-making process of West Midlands Police, the Safety Advisory Group, or Birmingham City Council, nor did they express any view on the options under consideration.
These decisions are operational matters for the police, working with the local Safety Advisory Group and Birmingham City Council, and are taken independently of central government.
The Home Office did not receive formal notice of any recommendation before the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans was announced on 16 October.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will hold discussions with Scottish football authorities on the display of banners supporting deceased supporters of terrorism at football grounds.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
Everyone has the right to support their football club but they must do so in line with the law. Investigations into potential offences are a matter for Police Scotland.
All clubs across Scotland have a responsibility to ensure that football is, as it should be, a force for good.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the independent football regulator on engagement with supporters’ groups on away-ticket pricing.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs.
However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the (a) Premier League and (b) English Football League on the cost of football tickets; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of recent trends in the cost of football tickets on supporters.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Football is nothing without its fans and the Government is keen to see as many people as possible benefit from and enjoy the spectacle of live sport.
The matter of ticket prices is a commercial decision for individual clubs and leagues to take. However, the Government remains in conversation with stakeholders to ensure that fans are engaged properly.
This is also why the Government has introduced legislation to establish an Independent Football Regulator to protect and promote the sustainability of English football in the interests of fans and the local communities football clubs serve.
As a result of changes made by this Government, the Football Governance Bill will now explicitly require clubs to consult their supporters on ticket prices making sure their voice is heard on this key issue.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the (a) Home Office and (b) Football Association on the potential merits of introducing lifetime club bans for people convicted of threats of violence against (i) referees, (ii) players and (iii) family members of referees and players.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Violence has no place in football. As private businesses, football clubs have a right to ban individual supporters from attending matches or accessing club facilities; a power rooted in their responsibility to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all fans. These bans are a decision to be taken at club-level.
Convictions may also result in football banning orders (FBOs) which are a court decision to prevent violence or disorder at, or in connection with, regulated football matches. An individual with a banning order is prevented from attending all regulated matches in the UK and can be required to surrender their passport to police before overseas matches and tournaments.
FBOs can be imposed following a conviction for a football-related offence as set out in Schedule 1 of the Football Spectators Act 1989 (which includes offences involving the use or threat of violence), or on application from the police or CPS.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with (a) the shadow football regulator and (b) supporters groups on fan engagement over kick-off time changes.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government fully appreciates the frustration and disappointment that fans might experience following kick off times being changed.
Fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Bill and the relevant matters have been deliberately designed to capture the wide array of club matters that may impact fans.
Within such categories as “match-day and operational issues”, topics such as accessibility, ticket purchasing processes, and stewarding may all be relevant, depending on the club. The requirements mean that clubs and their supporters could choose to discuss kick off times in these meetings, if they choose to.
However, kick-off times are not included on the face of the Football Governance Bill as, in the majority of cases, these are not within the control of the club. Ultimately, the scheduling of fixtures is a matter for the relevant league and the Football Association (the FA), in conjunction with broadcasters, local authorities, and the police.