Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the number of volunteers there were in amateur football in (a) 2010, (b) 2019 and (c) 2023.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government tracks activity levels through Sport England’s Active Lives surveys. Two surveys run annually: Active Lives Adult, and Active Lives Children and Young People. These surveys measure the activity levels of people across England and allows the Government to collect accurate data on what and how much sport and physical activity different groups are participating in. You can find out more about the surveys on Sport England's website.
2009/10
Active People survey - 15.2 million people took part in sport and wider physical activity for an average of at least 30 minutes a week.
Children and young people - Sport England only started collecting data in 2017.
2018/19
Active Lives Adult survey - 28.6 million took part in 150+ minutes of activity a week.
Active Lives Children and Young People survey - 3.3 million doing an average of 60+ minutes per day.
2022/23
Active Lives Adult survey - 29.5 million took part in 150+ minutes of activity a week.
Active Lives Children and Young people survey - 3.5 million doing an average of 60+ minutes per day.
It’s important to note that comparing data on a consistent basis across this time is not possible as the methodologies and metrics employed changed to reflect changes in the Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) guidance.
Since 2010, the CMO guidelines on physical activity changed from five separate sessions of 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity physical activity in a week to at least 150 minutes of moderate equivalent intensity physical activity a week. In addition to this, Sport England’s remit has extended to include recreational activities and active travel.
Sport England does not record the number of volunteers in amateur football.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the number of people that played grassroots sport in England in (a) 2010, (b) 2019 and (c) 2023.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government tracks activity levels through Sport England’s Active Lives surveys. Two surveys run annually: Active Lives Adult, and Active Lives Children and Young People. These surveys measure the activity levels of people across England and allows the Government to collect accurate data on what and how much sport and physical activity different groups are participating in. You can find out more about the surveys on Sport England's website.
2009/10
Active People survey - 15.2 million people took part in sport and wider physical activity for an average of at least 30 minutes a week.
Children and young people - Sport England only started collecting data in 2017.
2018/19
Active Lives Adult survey - 28.6 million took part in 150+ minutes of activity a week.
Active Lives Children and Young People survey - 3.3 million doing an average of 60+ minutes per day.
2022/23
Active Lives Adult survey - 29.5 million took part in 150+ minutes of activity a week.
Active Lives Children and Young people survey - 3.5 million doing an average of 60+ minutes per day.
It’s important to note that comparing data on a consistent basis across this time is not possible as the methodologies and metrics employed changed to reflect changes in the Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) guidance.
Since 2010, the CMO guidelines on physical activity changed from five separate sessions of 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity physical activity in a week to at least 150 minutes of moderate equivalent intensity physical activity a week. In addition to this, Sport England’s remit has extended to include recreational activities and active travel.
Sport England does not record the number of volunteers in amateur football.
Asked by: Lord Hannan of Kingsclere (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will seek an investment facilitation memorandum between the UK and Morocco at the forthcoming Association Council to support UK investment in Morocco ahead of the 2030 World Cup, similar to the agreement signed with Peru ahead of the 2019 Pan-American Games.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK Government is keen to strengthen trade ties with Morocco, which deliver mutual benefits. Both countries will be hosting major football tournaments later this decade, and the Government is working closely with Morocco to share knowledge ahead of the delivery of these events.
In 2017, HM Government signed a government-to-government agreement with Peru to support the delivery of infrastructure for the 2019 PanAmerican Games on-time and on-budget. We plan to share our experience with the Moroccan government at the forthcoming UK-Morocco Association Council.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will have discussions with the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on the potential merits of classifying people with football-related brain injuries as having industrial injuries.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department is advised by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC), an independent scientific body, on changes to the list of occupational diseases for which Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) can be paid. We have met recently with the Chair of IIAC, and will continue to engage with IIAC as appropriate.
We can confirm that IIAC is currently considering whether there is a link between certain neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) and professional sportspeople. IIAC found studies covering a range of NDD, which is an umbrella term covering diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), dementia and MND (motor neuron disease). IIAC is initially considering ALS where there is currently more evidence than for other diseases and will need to give more consideration to the evidence before it can make a decision. IIAC will also likely consult experts (neurologists) in this field and will then publish its findings when the investigation is complete.
It would be premature to speculate on how IIAC’s investigation will progress or whether there is enough evidence of a link between certain neurodegenerative diseases and professional sportspeople to meet the threshold for a new ‘prescribed disease’ to be recommended by IIAC for the purpose of IIDB entitlement.
If recommendations are made by IIAC on this matter, they will be carefully considered by the Department.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on the potential lessons it has learnt from the collapse of Football Index.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The collapse of BetIndex Ltd, the operators of the novel gambling product Football Index, had a significant impact on former customers, and we recognise the frustration and anger that this has caused. As a result, the Government announced an Independent Review, conducted by Malcom Sheehan KC, which looked at how the company had been regulated and identified lessons learned for various agencies including the Financial Conduct Authority. These recommendations have since been implemented.
Following the collapse of Football Index, the then-Minister held several meetings with the Gambling Commission, and officials have worked closely with their counterparts at His Majesty’s Treasury on the role of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in this case.
Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the value to communities of a Football Community Trust operating locally.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The community arms of local football clubs are instrumental in fostering more active and resilient communities. By harnessing the power of the sport, these trusts promote social cohesion, improve public health, and make a positive impact on people’s lives.
HM Government recognises and supports the contributions of these trusts in helping to strengthen communities and get more people active, in line with the. Government’s own priorities.
Asked by: Julie Elliott (Labour - Sunderland Central)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2024 to Question 21037 on Football: Disadvantaged, whether her Department is taking steps to help ensure the provision of changing facilities for women at sports and recreational grounds.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is committed to delivering top class sports facilities across the country, so that everyone can take part in sport and physical activity. As part of this commitment, DCMS is delivering an historic level of over £400 million in direct investment to build or upgrade thousands of grassroots sport facilities across the UK. This includes the £320 million Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, which includes conditions on funding regarding equal access for women and girls, as well as directly delivering funding for new changing facilities.
Government’s investment also includes £25 million for the Lionesses Futures Fund for up to 30 brand new artificial pitches in England in 2024/25, with gold-standard women and girls provision that includes appropriate changing and toilet facilities.
The Football Foundation also delivers a specific funding stream for projects seeking to improve changing rooms and pavilions for all players, but especially women and girls. Further details are available on the Football Foundation’s website.
Asked by: Simon Jupp (Conservative - East Devon)
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 Football Association on the recent decision to end FA Cup replays.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The management of competitive programmes is a matter for the relevant National Governing Body which, in this instance, is the Football Association (FA), but clearly it is incumbent on the FA and Premier League to explain this decision and why it is in the interests of fans.
We expect the FA and Premier League to consult with the English Football League (EFL) and other leagues further down the pyramid on moves such as this and reach agreements collectively.
The Secretary of State and I regularly engage with national governing bodies, and I will shortly be meeting with the FA to discuss this, alongside a range of issues.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Wansbeck)
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 Football Association on an extension to the football season.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Maintenance of grass football pitches is the responsibility of individual clubs in conjunction with the FA. Clubs that play at Step 1 to 6 of the National League System and Tiers 1 to 4 of the Women’s Football Pyramid are eligible to apply for grants through the Premier League Stadium Fund in order to make improvements to their grounds. Administration of the grants is managed by the Football Foundation.
Government is also delivering an historic level of direct investment to build or upgrade thousands of grassroots facilities across the UK. This includes £327 million to provide up to 8,000 new and improved multi-sport grassroots facilities and pitches across the whole of the UK between 2021 and 2025.
The Government recognises the logistical difficulties posed by weather-related postponements, and the consequent fixture congestion caused. This is exacerbated for clubs that have been forced to play their home fixtures at an alternative venue where the surface at their home ground is unplayable. However, the decision of whether or not to extend a football season is one that must be made by the FA as national governing body of the sport.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Wansbeck)
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 impact of weather related postponements on grassroots football clubs.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Maintenance of grass football pitches is the responsibility of individual clubs in conjunction with the FA. Clubs that play at Step 1 to 6 of the National League System and Tiers 1 to 4 of the Women’s Football Pyramid are eligible to apply for grants through the Premier League Stadium Fund in order to make improvements to their grounds. Administration of the grants is managed by the Football Foundation.
Government is also delivering an historic level of direct investment to build or upgrade thousands of grassroots facilities across the UK. This includes £327 million to provide up to 8,000 new and improved multi-sport grassroots facilities and pitches across the whole of the UK between 2021 and 2025.
The Government recognises the logistical difficulties posed by weather-related postponements, and the consequent fixture congestion caused. This is exacerbated for clubs that have been forced to play their home fixtures at an alternative venue where the surface at their home ground is unplayable. However, the decision of whether or not to extend a football season is one that must be made by the FA as national governing body of the sport.