Commons Chamber

Wednesday 4th November 2026

(began 13 hours, 1 minute ago)

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Alex Burghart Portrait Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)
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The Secretary. >> The Secretary. >> Mr. Speaker, the government has been clear. The benefit bill will come down and we're already taking come down and we're already taking steps to do so. We've rebalanced Universal Credit, we've increased Universal Credit, we've increased face to face assessments. We've introduced a right to try for work for disabled people. We've introduced the Youth Guarantee for youth unemployed on his watch. Under previous Tory governments, the welfare bill soared by £88 billion. Nearly 3 million people ran off the legacy of the last Tory administration. 1 million young people not in employment, education or training and this government is

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committed to tackling all of it. Alex Burghart. I thank the hon. Lady's missed

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I thank the hon. Lady's missed the fact that the bill is higher now than it's ever been before. The government's in a complete mess on government's in a complete mess on this. On Thursday morning, the Chancellor went on the TV and went Chancellor went on the TV and went on the BBC and was asked, Will there be cuts in welfare before the next election? He said there will next election? He said there will be. Cue panic in Downing Street. The Prime Minister was sent out to clarify things. He said the welfare bill needs to come down, but this can't be done by cutting the welfare bill.

Then. Then at tea time, the Chancellor conceded defeat and said it's not correct to say that we're going to bring the welfare bill down. So will the First Secretary of State be clear? Why isn't Labour going to bring the

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welfare down? Welfare Bill down during this Parliament? The hon. Gentleman can continue

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The hon. Gentleman can continue reading out his questions. He should listen to the answers. He should listen to the answers. I have repeatedly said the benefit bill will come down, and the steps this Labour government are already this Labour government are already taking to do so. Mr. speaker, the Milburn report will report shortly Milburn report will report shortly and the Timms review. But let me set out what further choices this Labour government are making, because last night the party opposite walked through the lobbies to vote against every change that this Budget delivered. Yes, yes. They cheered.

They voted against a council tax cut for 20 million households. They voted against VAT of electricity bills. They voted against taking 70,000 small businesses out of business rates, and they voted against a tax on banks to fund it all. Perhaps he'd

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like to explain why he did so now. I think the right hon. Lady seems to have missed out the bit seems to have missed out the bit where the Resolution Foundation said that this Budget would be catastrophic for living standards. catastrophic for living standards. I think she left out the bit where the OBR said that it would risk the OBR said that it would risk 215,000 jobs through tax rises. So we know that Labour can't bring down welfare in the next three down welfare in the next three years. It's been briefed, however, that the Prime Minister is preparing a ten year plan.

I'm old enough to remember Keir Starmer's ten year plan because it was six months ago. This is the only political party in history to have
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Louise Haigh Portrait Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP, First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Sheffield Heeley, Labour)
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very likely that the right hon. Lady was one of those MPs. We all remember that she was the person who led the rebellion against Keir Starmer's very modest welfare Starmer's very modest welfare reforms. So if the government can't reduce the welfare bill because of its backbenchers, because of its frontbenchers, can it at least promise that it will not put up taxes to cover these ever

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increasing costs? The Secretary. Mr. Speaker, we have been repeatedly clear that we cannot afford to pay for failure and must invest in success, and that is how we will bring the welfare bill down. We will make support more conditional on taking up opportunities, ensuring young people get the help they need earlier, tackling the long term drivers of welfare spending, including high housing costs. And we will do all this in a Labour way. The hon. Gentleman told a gathering of Conservative Party members that they should keep apologising for the many things that they got wrong in government, but I'm not sure his colleagues got the memo.

The Leader of the Opposition claimed she wasn't in the Cabinet when they made mistakes on migration, but she was there at the peak of the Boris wave. The shadow Home Secretary claimed he wasn't responsible for immigration policy when he was a Home Office Minister, and the shadow Chancellor still doesn't want blame for the mini Budget written when he was in the Treasury. Perhaps he'd like to take this opportunity now to apologise on behalf of himself and his Thurrock.
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Louise Haigh Portrait Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP, First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Sheffield Heeley, Labour)
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Everton has been drawn to the sorry. Drawn to fight the mighty Cod Army in the quarterfinals. In a more serious matter, some of my constituents are living with the threat of contaminated land, fearing for their health and watching their homes lose value. Will the first Secretary of State work with Defra and the Environment Agency to ensure that soil testing is completed as soon as possible, so that my residents get the

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answers they so badly need? Yeah. First Secretary. Well, I'm very happy to congratulate Fleetwood Town with my congratulate Fleetwood Town with my hon. Friend. As a Barnsley fan, we live for these David versus Goliath moments, Mr. Speaker. We published the UK's first ever plan to better protect people and our environment from Forever Chemicals. Earlier from Forever Chemicals. Earlier this year and just this week, the UK Health Security Agency launched UK Health Security Agency launched its first study into the levels of forever chemicals in the population. As we continue to build the evidence, we will absolutely consider the case for any appropriate measures, including national standards, to manage the national standards, to manage the risks and protect communities.

The Environment Agency is supporting a thorough investigation into the Thornton-cleveleys site, and I'll Thornton-cleveleys site, and I'll make sure the Environment Minister keeps her updated.
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Louise Haigh Portrait Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP, First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Sheffield Heeley, Labour)
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into and had to close 13 beds. They found Legionella and Pseudomonas in the pipes at the maternity block and at the Saint Mary's Hospital Hospital on the Saint Helier site. The lifts broke, meaning that staff had to carry children up and down the stairs. Post-operation. Surely in 2026, staff and patients deserve better. So will the First Secretary of State commit to urgent action, commit to delivering the specialist emergency care hospital to ease pressure on Epsom Hospital. Because the time for dither and delay is over.

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First Secretary. Well, she's absolutely right to raise these critical issues and I absolutely understand the concerns over these services at Saint Helier. I know the secondary care Minister discussed these issues with MPs discussed these issues with MPs earlier this week, and we have allocated £5 million to fund critical repairs at the hospital. critical repairs at the hospital. We are keen that as many women's health services as possible remain there whilst the essential work is there whilst the essential work is carried out. The trust is committed to take a decision on plans for the maternity and women's unit in December, and I know the Minister would be happy to meet with her and discuss next steps and how we address these really important issues.

 Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I
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None Portrait Presentation of Bills
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We We now We now come
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Liz Twist Portrait Liz Twist MP (Blaydon and Consett, Labour)
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to presentations of Bill Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.

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Energy Independence Bill. It's not that.

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It's not that. Second Reading what day? Tuesday. 10th of November. Tuesday the 10th of November. We

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Tuesday the 10th of November. We now come to presentation of Bill Secretary. Angela Rayner.

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Secretary. Angela Rayner. Visitor Levy bill. Second Reading. What day? Tuesday 10th of November.

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Tuesday 10th of November. Tuesday the 10th of November. Right. We now come to the ten

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minute rule bill. Fashion supply chain Liz Twist. Hear, hear.

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Hear, hear. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I beg to move that leave be given to bring move that leave be given to bring in a bill to provide for a code of practice to be followed by retailers of fashion, clothing, retailers of fashion, clothing, footwear and accessories in their relationships with their suppliers to set up an adjudicator with the role of enforcing that code of practice and encouraging compliance with it, and for connected purposes. The UK fashion and textile sector contributes £62 billion to our economy and supports 1.3 million jobs. From historic textile mills in Yorkshire and Lancashire to garment manufacturing in Leicester, London and the West Midlands, domestic production provides skilled regional employment and industrial capability.

The majority of fashion retailers want to trade ethically, and certainly the public encourage them to do that, supporting fair wages and good conditions. However, the global garment market is heavily buyer driven, where a majority of a minority of companies engage in abusive practices. Responsible businesses risk being undercut and small suppliers lack bargaining leverage. Without a level playing field, Mr Speaker bad practice distorts fair competition and stops small businesses operating successfully. Now, Mr. Speaker, we saw how completely the garment market can fail during the Covid-19 pandemic, when retail stores closed in 2020, major brands selling in the UK cancelled billions of pounds in confirmed orders overnight, withheld payments for garments already stitched and demanded steep discounts on shipped goods.

That crisis laid bare the fundamental flaw in global garment supply chains. When unexpected costs hit, buyers dumped commercial risks onto factory owners and workers with zero accountability. These practices have been documented for decades by organisations including the International Labour Organisation, Human Rights Watch, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre and the Vietnam Labour Institute, and recent research from the universities of Aberdeen, Nottingham and Leicester, the Tata Institute and transform Trade shows that unfair buying habits remain routine. Commercial tactics across the UK, Bangladesh and India. These unfair practices, including cancelled orders, forced price cuts, refusal to pay for goods in production and delayed invoices, caused job losses, poverty wages and unsafe working conditions for the workforce, the majority of whom are women in historic hubs like Leicester, heavy buyer pressure has driven the number of clothing businesses down from 1500 in 2017 to roughly 95 today.

And behind those figures are real factory owners facing impossible terms. One UK manufacturer produced 1000 garment samples over a single season, costing hundreds of pounds each, only for the buyer to order just 140 styles. Another suffered a sudden cancellation of 80,000 finished garments and ten 100,000m of fabric already paid for. Small UK factories pay up to £4,000 a year for mandatory compliance audits, only for 42% to receive zero orders after passing another overseas. Suppliers face the exact same tactics in India, when a factory had an order almost complete, an auditor flagged slightly insufficient lighting in one corner of the workshop, which the buying agent seized on to force down the contract price.

Now, elsewhere in the UK, UK retailers have held shipments at destination ports to force steep, retroactive discounts, ignoring daily emails from factory managers asking how to pay their staff. Buyers can drop orders at short notice or force price cuts, making low paid workers absorb the blow through reduced hours, unpaid overtime or lay offs. Women make up 61% of the garment workforce in the UK and 60% in Bangladesh. Crucially, international suppliers fall outside the jurisdiction of UK labour enforcement bodies and relationships are governed by unilateral buyer manuals filled with automatic fines. Out of 1000 factories surveyed in Bangladesh, not one took legal action against a value, with 80% fearing blacklisting.

Few factory owners, whether in Leicester, India or Bangladesh, can afford to sue multi-million pound brands. Mr. speaker, this Labour government has taken positive steps to raise standards across our economy. The government's review into responsible business conduct demonstrates a clear commitment to supply chain integrity. The creation of the Fair Work Agency will strengthen domestic labour enforcement and the 60 day payment cap in the Commercial Payments Bill is a major step forward for business cash flow. We should celebrate these achievements, but to complete the picture and protect ethical businesses, we must go further. Where standards for law enforcing labour laws against factory owners cannot address financial pressures.

When a retailer forces a supplier to sell below production, cost transparency reporting does not stop commercial daily abuses like forced discounts or sudden cancellations. Capping payment terms at 60 days helps UK payment schedules, but does not reach international supply chains or protect against cancelled contracts. Advising small suppliers to pursue litigation fails to recognise commercial reality as no small business can afford to soothe the buyer. It depends on the survival. We need to regulate buyer behaviour directly through a statutory garment trading adjudicator across the UK market, bringing domestic and foreign retailers selling in the UK into scope.

This creates fair competition, enabling small businesses to compete successfully. We already have a proven model Mr Speaker in the Groceries Code adjudicator were code breaches fell from 79% in 2014 to 33% in 2024. While food retailers remain profitable and paid food suppliers for up to three months faster than clothing retailers pay suppliers. Furthermore, the European Union is proposing similar unfair trading practice regulations for the textile sector ahead of establishing the adjudicator, a mandatory supply chain code of practice is needed to define clear rules of fair dealing. First, the garment trading adjudicator would enforce a mandatory supply chain code of practice, including a legally binding principle of fair dealing, giving suppliers certainty over orders.

Third, payment timelines and protection from sudden contract changes. Second, it would protect suppliers by allowing factory owners, trade unions and third parties to submit evidence through confidential and anonymous reporting channels supported by a multilingual system so global suppliers can report in their own languages. Third, it would empower the adjudicator to initiate proactive market investigations based on intelligence without requiring an individual formal public complaint that could expose a single supplier to commercial retaliation. Fourth, it would have the power to impose financial penalties on abusive retailers who breach the code and require retailers to reimburse suppliers for what they are owed.

And finally, the regulator would be funded entirely through a statutory levy on large fashion retailers, placing zero cost on the British taxpayer. This proposal has in the past been raised by the Environmental Audit Committee and has cross-party parliamentary support. By supporting this bill, we can build on this government's impressive work from the creation of the Fair Work Agency to the new office for Responsible Business Conduct, Conduct and complete the regulatory picture. Establishing a garment trading adjudicator will create a level playing field where responsible businesses are protected from unfair competition. Small suppliers can invest with confidence and British Retail stands tall as a global benchmark for ethical trade.

I urge the House to support this bill and grant leave for it to be brought in.

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Yeah. The hon. Member, I believe, to bring in the Bill. The question is

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bring in the Bill. The question is that the hon. Member have leave to bring in the bill. As many of that opinion say, I. I.

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The contrary. No. I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Who

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will prepare to bring in the bill? Cat Smith. Stella Creasy. David

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Cat Smith. Stella Creasy. David Mundell. Martin Rhodes. Rachael Maskell. Jeff Smith. Maya Ellis. Bell Ribeiro-Addy. Mary Glindon. Wera Hobhouse. Navendu Mishra and myself.

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Because. Epping Forest.

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Fashion Fashion Supply Fashion Supply Chain Fashion Supply Chain Code Fashion Supply Chain Code and adjudicator Bill.

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Second Reading. What day?

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The 5th of March 2027.

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The 5th of March 2027. Well done. Programme motion Minister to move.

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Programme motion Minister to move. Thank you. The question is the Sporting Events Bill programme. Motion Events Bill programme. Motion number two as on the Order Paper. The question is on the supporting Bill. As many of that opinion say I the consent note I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. I will now proceed to read the orders of the day.
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Anna Sabine Portrait Anna Sabine MP (Frome and East Somerset, Liberal Democrat)
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Liberal Democrats welcome this bill, the euros, the World Cup, the Olympics. We recognise these events have huge positive implications, like boosting our economy and bringing people together. Making these events easier for the UK to deliver is therefore the right thing to do. During the Second Reading of this bill, I emphasise my disappointment that the bill didn't include cultural or music events industries that also bring in billions into the UK's economy, and events that encounter many similar problems at sporting events. Do too. I've met with and understand the position of Ministers on this point, which is that cultural events aren't in the scope of the bill, but I didn't want to let the bill close without emphasising, again, that there is a missed opportunity here for supporting cultural and music events.

There are other areas where this bill could be stronger. First, free to air sports. This year, for the first time since the Champions League began in 1992, supporters couldn't watch the final without paying. This is the latest in a long line of events that have gone behind a paywall. Meanwhile, the BBC's coverage of the Lionesses has inspired a generation of girls to pick up a football, and channel four Paralympics coverage has shown disabled children what is possible. Free to air coverage works and amendment one and two would ensure that any event covered by this bill, or backed by public money, should be available to all, as what is this new.

Clause two proposes a bidding framework to bring football home, making sure the government can host the 2042 World Cup. The Liberal Democrats have also long argued that gambling advertising has no place in sport. New clause four would ban gambling, advertising, marketing and sponsorship from the events that are covered by this legislation. Madam Deputy Speaker. Mr. speaker, all of these amendments matter to sport, and this is why I've continued to push them through the course of this bill. But the amendment I want to call a vote today about is ticket touting. The Labour Party manifesto says access to music, drama and sport has become difficult and expensive because of ticket touting.

Labour will put fans back at the heart of events by introducing new customer protections on ticket resales. This was a pledge to act in black and white. Elsewhere, the government has pledged to bring forward legislation that will ban ticket resellers at face value. The commitment is clear, but here is a bill with the framework to implement all of these promises, and the government has chosen not

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to act this time. I will give. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm really grateful to the hon. Lady for giving way. I'm sure she Lady for giving way. I'm sure she agrees with me that it was really good when this bill was extended in its scope, so that it did include its scope, so that it did include more major events, not just one big ticket item, but what it does do now is create a kind of two tier now is create a kind of two tier ticketing system, because these rules restrict the sale of tickets only to these a few sporting events.

 only to these a few sporting events. But there are music events and other cultural events which are waiting for a solution that has been promised but hasn't come. Does she agree with me that this therefore puts into very, very stark perspective the urgent need

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for the ticket touting bill to come forward as quickly as possible. Very unwise to agree with the

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Very unwise to agree with the hon. Member on any issue around this kind of area, but yes, I totally agree with her that the issue of ticket sales really, issue of ticket sales really, really needs clarification. Every year, fans lose £145 million from tickets being sold at eye watering resale prices. Every delay the government makes to reform ticket sales, more and more money is lost. And more importantly, another eager fan misses out on watching their team play. The government keeps promising further legislation down the line. The Liberal Democrats are calling for action to be taken now, and this is why we've tabled new clause one.

This clause does what the government has promised and what this bill fails to do. It stops tickets being resold at above face value. This new clause would mean that no more fans are priced out by an algorithm. No more touts profit at the expense of the people who love sport, but also live music and theatre. The government says it backs reform today. They can prove it, and I hope this House will vote it, and I hope this House will vote

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to support new clause one. The question is that you won't be read a second time.

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be read a second time. Of ticket touting regulation of resale platforms. Chris Vince.

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Chris Vince. Mr. speaker, I think we're seeing a first in this House, a debate in which the Member for debate in which the Member for Harlow has been called first. So I. I welcome it. It's because it's because, Mr. Speaker, in a good mood, because it's Lancashire Day today, isn't it? That's next week. Oh, well, I look forward to celebrating that with you next week. And as a as a sort of adopted Yorkshireman, this bill and I want to get on the right page. First of all, I want to say it's a pleasure to speak in this debate.

As you all know, Mr. Speaker, I am a keen football supporter, and although the fortunes of both Harlow Town and Leeds United have been somewhat inconsistent in recent years, I know the member opposite is looking forward to a positive FAQ led revolution. I still feel an intense, an immense sense of pride when the country hosts sporting events, not only the 2012 Olympics, but believe it or not, Mr. Speaker, I'm even old enough to remember Euro 96 when football came home, only perhaps not in all the ways we may have hoped it would do. And I also want to pay tribute to my right hon.

Friend the Secretary of State, the
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Chris Vince Portrait Chris Vince MP (Harlow, Labour )
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Member for Wigan, for commitment and dedication to sport in this country. Whether it's grassroots country. Whether it's grassroots football teams like the league winning Royton FC to our Ballon d'Or winning England captain, Harry d'Or winning England captain, Harry Kane. I know that sport and indeed the fantastic rugby league players the fantastic rugby league players that I know, Mr. speaker, you cheer on on a regular basis. We sadly don't have any rugby league in don't have any rugby league in Harlem, but maybe between us we can change that. I, I feel like I've started a an argument between the speaker and the secular state in which the Secretary is not going to win.

So I think perhaps we'll move on very, very quickly. But sport, Mr. Speaker, has the opportunity to not only improve people's lives but also change people's lives as well. I know from standing on the on standing at Harlow Town Football Club week in, week out that I've got form friendships and I. I'm forever grateful for that opportunity. This bill, Madam Deputy Speaker, will strengthen UK's position as a world leading host of major sports sporting events by establishing a legal framework, making it easier to host international competitions and strengthen our advantage when bidding in future tournaments.

I welcome some of the suggestions made by the Liberal Democrats in their amendments, but I looking at the bill in its current form, I believe that it already addresses the issues of unauthorised ticket touting. It's absolutely a menace that we need to get to the bottom of. We want real sports fans have the opportunity to go to these sporting events. It also looks at something that is a huge issue when we have huge sporting events, which is traffic, transport and traffic management, which is a really important point to consider when hosting large events and also the opportunity to provide financial assistance to get these events up and running.

Because, Madam Deputy Speaker, we know how much in 1996 and 2012, our local communities really benefited from these these large tournaments. Not only, of course, does it benefit businesses, but I think there's something even more tangible, even less tangible in, in, in, in this country hosting major sporting events. It's perhaps a little bit more than just hope. It's about bringing people together through the good times and also, sadly, the penalty shoot outs as well. Madam Deputy Speaker, this bill shows this Labour government is committed to ensuring the UK remains a world leader, world leading destination for major sporting events.

And ultimately, that's what we all want because that gives us home advantage.

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And Nigel Huddleston. Madam Deputy. Speaker. Having served as the sports Minister overseeing the sports Minister overseeing the Birmingham 2022. Commonwealth Games, I know first hand both the incredible opportunities and also incredible opportunities and also incredible challenges that come with hosting major international sporting events, and it's for that sporting events, and it's for that reason that I broadly welcome this bill and the framework that it seeks to establish. The case for hosting major sporting events is very clear. They generate significant economic activity, support jobs, inspire participation in sport, and leave lasting legacies in communities right across the country.

Sport contributes more than £53 billion annually to the UK economy. A major events play a really important role in supporting growth across sectors such as tourism and hospitality. The Birmingham Commonwealth Games alone generated an additional £1.2 billion in economic value add as well, of course, of leaving a legacy for improved and indeed new facilities in and around Birmingham. And as we look ahead to the Euro 2028, as we pursue our ambition to host the 2035 Women's World Cup and potentially a future Olympic Games, it's vital that we have a modern
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Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston MP (Droitwich and Evesham, Conservative)
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and effective legislative framework in place. Historically, Parliament had to legislate separately for had to legislate separately for each major event, and this approach is neither efficient nor sustainable. The strength of this sustainable. The strength of this bill is that it creates a standing framework through which future events can be delivered more events can be delivered more effectively, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy while ensuring the UK remains an attractive, if not the remains an attractive, if not the best place in the world to host major sporting competitions. And for those reasons, I support the broad aims of the Bill and I appreciate that since earlier stages of this bill, Madam Deputy Speaker, the government has accepted some amendments, including incorporating a limited number of recurring annual events.

However, there are a few further amendments and enhancements that I would like the government to consider and therefore consider supporting some of the amendments proposed by the opposition front Bench. The first relates to industrial action. Now, the success of a major sporting event depends not only on athletes and organisers, but on the transport networks and public services that allow spectators, volunteers and competitors to participate. And when that infrastructure is disrupted, local businesses lose trade, visitors face uncertainty and the reputation of the host nation can suffer. We've seen this before. Many will remember the strikes that were planned to coincide with the opening of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

This was a deliberate attempt to disrupt a major national event, as the country was recovering from the pandemic with the intent of causing maximum disruption. And furthermore, it meant into immense. The government then had to dip into contingencies to the tune of £4 million to provide alternative transport options for sporting fans. Of course, this was taxpayers money and therefore any opportunity to limit such damage would be welcome. The second issue concerns the protection of women's sport. A major sporting event should not only showcase excellence on the field of play, but command the confidence of athletes, spectators and governing bodies alike.

For many people, maintaining fairness in women's sporting competition and preserving appropriate single sex spaces form an important part of that confidence, and the opposition's amendments seek to incorporate single sex protections into the sporting events framework, ensuring that where it is applied, major sporting events and associated activities provide single sex competitive competitions and facilities in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, and the proposals also provide sensible exemptions for self-contained facilities, including those designed for disabled people, recognising the accessibility, dignity and practicality must sit alongside privacy and fairness. There are also several proposals and amendments relating to ticketing and ticket touting, in particular the secondary ticket market and in this area.

I think we need to be careful. I think there's cross-party support for the fact that we do need to make sure that we do not have rip off circumstances in sporting events and indeed ticketing for many, many events. However, we also need to make sure that a valid, perfectly legitimate secondary ticket market can thrive because that can be good for consumers, and also competition can help keep prices low. And there have been circumstances where a monopoly has been created in sporting events well intended, but then has led to the organisers charging considerable amounts, for example, fees.

We saw that during the FIFA World Cup, for example, the official resale platform charged a 15% fee to both buyers and sellers, and that demonstrates how easily costs can be passed on to supporters when there is limited competition and no alternative marketplace is available. And therefore, I would ask the government to consider what further evidence may be required in order to consider this particularly challenging marketplace. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, I don't want to stress that I support the overall purpose of this bill and the framework it establishes. However, if we are serious about maximising the benefits of hosting major sporting events, we should also prepare be prepared to strengthen the legislation where necessary, and the amendments before us do seek to do exactly that, and I hope the Minister would consider them carefully.
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Bayo Alaba Portrait Mr Bayo Alaba MP (Southend East and Rochford, Independent)
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Bayo Alaba thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I welcome this bill because I know from experience just because I know from experience just how important it is. Before becoming the Member of Parliament for Southend East and Rochford, I was fortunate enough to be involved in the London 2012 Olympic Games, the European Euro 2020 Football Championships and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. I've seen first hand what it takes to make a major sporting event a success, and the benefits it can have for the wider community. What these events have taught me is that whilst venues, organisation and promotion are all important, the most crucial factor is support from government and local authorities.

But unfortunately that support is currently not consistent across the country. While some areas have the relationships, the expertise and capacity to help sporting events thrive, others start from scratch each and every time. That's why the digital, culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has come as called for a national strategy for major events, and I welcome the government's commitment to publish one. The committee has also called for responsibility for major events to be moved from DCMs to the Department for Business and Trade, a move that would highlight the role of events in driving investment, tourism and growth.

But the importance of major sporting events is not just their financial contribution, but their ability to create and celebrate community. We also see this in grassroots events such as Rochford Hundred's Remembrance Day fixture, which recently brought the community together in an extraordinary way. That event was not a global spectacle, but it showed the true power of sport in building community. I commend the club's president, Ray Stevenson, and its chairman, Steve Maguire, who made that match happen. May I finish by encouraging colleagues to think back on the successful sporting events of the past few decades, and specifically the ability to make the whole country feel united and and in these current times, we all know how important it is to stay united.

This bill strengthens our ability to deliver those moments and ensures the benefits reach every community in the country. Thank you.

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Point of order. Nigel Huddleston Madam Deputy Speaker. Please forgive me. I Speaker. Please forgive me. I neglected to refer hon. Members to my Register of Members interests. When I gave my speech some moments

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When I gave my speech some moments ago. Please forgive me for that omission. Thank you. That's most definitely been put

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That's most definitely been put on the record. I now come to Liz Jarvis. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. And I'd also like to point members And I'd also like to point members to my record of interests. Major sporting events bring significant economic and social benefits, from hospitality and tourism to grassroots participation and improved facilities. I am very proud that next summer, the utility, Bobby Dean Eastleigh, will host its first men's Ashes Test, expected to generate millions a day for the local economy. However, these benefits depend on fans being treated fairly. Starting with ticket ticket pricing, this bill makes it a criminal offence to tout tickets for an event covered by the framework in the relevant area during a specified period.

Fans have waited too long for Tooting to be tackled, and the unlimited fines send the right signal. However, while the bill criminalises unauthorised resale even at or below face value, it sets no price limit on authorised resale, leaving fans exposed. That is why I welcome new clauses one and three tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Frome and East Somerset. New clause one would stop tickets being resold above their original cost and cap resale platform fees, while new clause three would cap transaction fees at 10% and ban surge pricing. This means the most a fan could ever be charged for a ticket they can no longer use is the price they paid.

The government has committed to capping resale prices on the same basis as New Clause one, but has promised only a draft bill. These new clauses will protect fans sooner. Too many fans are now priced out of watching the sport they love, not just in stadiums but at home. Amendment one, also tabled by my hon. Friend would make free to air coverage, a condition for any event covered by this bill. As many of us remember in 2022, 17.4 million people watched the Lionesses win the euros on BBC one. In the season that followed, the FA estimated there was a 140% increase in girls under 16 playing football, including in my constituency, with 2.3 million more women and girls playing the game than the year before.

I won't lean on the old line that girls cannot be what they cannot see, and I wouldn't claim that free to air coverage is the only reason for this growth. But it is part of the story. As I mentioned, next year's fourth Ashes Test will be played in Eastleigh. Yet no home ashes series has been shown live on free to air television since 2005, where public money is given to an event. Fans who cannot get a ticket should not then be shut out by the cost of a subscription as well. This bill will create restricted advertising zones around events where unauthorised advertising becomes a criminal offence.

However, it protects commercial rights, not the content of what is advertised, leaving the door open for gambling companies to remain official sponsors. The Liberal Democrats have long called for stronger protections, and new clause four would deliver them by prohibiting gambling, advertising, marketing and sponsorship at every event covered by the bill. The
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Liz Jarvis Portrait Liz Jarvis MP (Eastleigh, Liberal Democrat)
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government's own impact assessment estimated estimates that hundreds of street traders will be affected of street traders will be affected by trading restrictions, and yet the bill includes no statutory duty to consult them before a restricted to consult them before a restricted trading zone is created. In my constituency, West End has a compact high street close to the utility bowl. Depending on how a zone is drawn, it could cover much of the village's commercial centre. Can the Minister explain what these restrictions would mean in practice for businesses like those in West End? New clause six would require consultation with those representing affected businesses, but does not guarantee that the traders themselves or councils are given a say over how a zone is drawn.

I ask the Minister to consider requiring a brief impact assessment for nearby small businesses, with local authorities given a statutory right to comment before a zone is confirmed. If this bill is to work for sport, it must work for local businesses and fans too. Mr. Steve Barclay.

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Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker and I rise to speak to amendment eight. In terms of to amendment eight. In terms of industrial action and amendment six regarding single sex protections and the point really, I want to raise Madam Speaker is actually a larger point than this bill, specifically because I think it's a perfect case study, really, as to what is the purpose of the chamber, what is the purpose of the chamber, because we have a bill as the Member for South and East and Rochford articulated, has, I think, broad support across the House.

I don't think it's controversial, Bill. I think there are colleagues
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Steve Barclay Portrait Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP (North East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)
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across all parts of the House that love sport, that want our country to attract major sporting events to these shores, that see sport as a force for good in unifying force for good in unifying communities. And I very much agreed with the sentiments that he set out with the sentiments that he set out in his remarks and what has been tabled by my colleagues on the front bench are two very modest, front bench are two very modest, very reasonable, very sensible amendments, one of which is simply building on the existing law and saying that if we are going to use taxpayers money for events in the UK, surely those should comply with UK law.

The very essence. I would have thought of a modest amendment. We have a consensual piece of legislation, and we have an amendment that simply wants to restate what the existing law is and how it applies to an international competition that is held here. And the second is to say that by their nature, these events are unique. They're often once in a generation. Indeed, the reason we have this bill, the very essence for this bill is because of the unique nature of these events. If they were happening year in, year out, then we would have a very different bill presented to the House.

This is talking about a Rugby World Cup. It's talking about a football euros. It's talking about an Olympics. By their nature, they're very, very unique events. They don't come around all the time. So it's quite farcical for the government to maintain a premise that normal industrial relations will be constrained by actually preventing strike action during something that is so out of the ordinary. It is not in the nature of routine industrial actions. And yet that seems to be the intent of the government's case in the House of Lords. So again, we had effective scrutiny in the House of Lords, sensible amendments brought forward, and the government's argument, from what I could assert him from, it seemed to really be on on two premises, the first being, oh, well, this wasn't specifically in our manifesto, but as I say, we're talking about a fairly unique set of circumstances.

And secondly, it would in some ways get in the way of normal industrial relations. It would constrain the trade unions. But the very reason for having this amendment is because if strike action was sought at a specific time of a global sporting event being held in the UK, that is not part of business as usual. That's not normal industrial relations. That's about a trade union trying to exploit that opportunity for unique leverage. And that is not in keeping with the spirit of this bill. And so I really just direct Ministers to their opening paragraph of their own bill, you know, which talks about legislative provisions to be applied to major sporting events and providing financial assistance in relation to those.

So we've got a piece of legislation on which there is consensus, where I think there is a lot of support for the government in attracting sporting events to the UK. We've had sensible suggestions from their Lordships and to very modest amendments put forward by the frontbench. And that's why I say, actually, I think there's just an interesting case study as to whether this chamber simply becomes somewhere where people come and read out a speech perhaps someone else has written, or, dare I say, even generated by AI with their heads down and reading it out. And don't take interventions, don't take amendments, and we cease to be a debating chamber.

Is that really where debates in this House are going? Well, I more than welcome to take an intervention if you would like to intervene on the point, but is this House going to actually be able to scrutinise legislation and make modest amendments on issues which simply apply the existing law that simply ensure that taxpayers money is used to host a sporting event that is not by an entirely separate industrial action. Can the government actually bring itself to accept even the most modest and consensual amendments, or is it simply the case that anything tabled will be routinely ejected?

The ability of the House to scrutinise legislation has become so defunct that the suggestions from their lordships are disregarded, and we take what is a consensual bill, an area of legislation on which there's broad agreement, and simply refuse the very reasonable amendments that have been put forward. So I urge Ministers I know the default position of all governments I've been in government, all governments is often just simply to to reject opposition amendments. I think what colleagues have tabled here are extremely modest. It reflects the debate their lordships have, and I hope Ministers will be able to look constructively on those so that the broad support that there is for this legislation can be maintained

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moving forward. I call the shadow Secretary of State, Rebecca.

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State, Rebecca. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and it is a pleasure to speak today on behalf of the official on behalf of the official opposition, and I refer members to my register of interests. As I made clear at Second Reading, Britain clear at Second Reading, Britain has a world class sporting heritage and a renowned reputation for hosting major events, from the hosting major events, from the Olympics and Paralympics to Wimbledon, the Open and the British Grand Prix. These occasions bring pride to our country, support jobs and inspire future generations. That is why the opposition supports a permanent legislative framework to help Britain host these events, and has sought to work constructively with government on maximising the opportunity, and the result of that can be seen in the Bill before us today.

It has benefited considerably from scrutiny, particularly the work of Lord Parkinson, Lord Markham and Baroness Evans. In the other place, one of their most significant achievements was extending the framework to major recurring sporting events as originally drafted international tournaments visiting Britain could benefit, while established fixtures such as Wimbledon and the London Marathon could not, thanks to conservative peers working alongside Lord Addington and others, the Lords voted to remove that exclusion. I welcome the government's subsequent acceptance of the principle, albeit with additional conditions introduced. Several of our other amendments address practical concerns raised in committee. New clause eight and amendment ten would give genuine charitable ticket auctions the protection they deserve.

A charity auctioning donated tickets for a good cause should not be treated in the same way as a professional ticket tout, nor should it have to depend on
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Rebecca Paul Portrait Rebecca Paul MP (Reigate, Conservative)
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exemptions that Ministers might grant later. We have also proposed safeguards for ordinary supporters safeguards for ordinary supporters who need to resell tickets. Stronger parliamentary scrutiny of financial assistance, and an assessment of how government assessment of how government economic policies affect Britain's ability to attract major sporting events. These are important issues events. These are important issues and I hope the government will give them proper consideration. But today I want to focus on two major improvements we have proposed to this bill. The first concerns industrial action and is set out in amendment six alongside amendment seven, new clause seven and new schedule one.

Taken together, these provisions would establish new protections against industrial action, disrupting major sporting events. As my hon. Friend the Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup explained in committee, there is little point putting elaborate protections in place for ticketing, advertising, trading and commercial rights if an event can nevertheless be brought to a standstill by industrial action. We saw the risk of disruption around the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022, when rail strikes were announced around the period of the games. More recently, threatened action at Scottish airports raised concerns ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and we should remember the enormous economic consequences of transport disruption.

Last year's London Underground strikes cost transport for London an estimated 20 to 25 million in lost fares alone, with the wider economic impact estimated at £230 million. Major sporting events take years to secure and organise. Spectators travel from across the world. Businesses invest in preparation and our international reputation depends on delivering what we have promised. Yet all of that can be jeopardised by industrial action at precisely the wrong moment. Our amendments would therefore make restrictions on industrial action by specified transport and local authority workers a mandatory part of the framework during the relevant period. These protections should not be an optional extra apply to some events, but not others.

The government rejected similar proposals in committee, citing workers rights. But surely we must also consider the rights of spectators, athletes and businesses who have invested their time and money in these events. The Minister has yet to explain how the government intends to protect major sporting events from this very real risk, and I hope she will do so today. Moving now to our second substantial proposal concerning fairness, safety and the protection of women's sport. This is advanced through amendment eight, supported by amendment nine and new schedule two. Given its importance, I want to devote the remainder of my contribution to these provisions.

 Madam Deputy Speaker at the Paris Olympics in 2024, something shocking happened. It was in a women's boxing match between Angela Carini of Italy and Iman Kholeif of Algeria. After taking heavy blows to the face, Angela signalled for the referee to stop the fight. Just 46 seconds after the contest began, Caliph was declared the winner. Angela fell to her knees in tears, her Olympic dreams shattered. But this wasn't a fair fight. This wasn't a fair competition. Angela was fighting a man and it was obvious to anyone with eyes. Yet arguably even more shocking than the fight itself was the response.

There was more criticism and ridicule of Angela for not shaking, shaking his hand in the ring, for crying, then of a man punching a woman in the face repeatedly. As often happens, the feelings of a man were being prioritised over fairness and safety of a woman. What I observed was cowardice on a huge scale. Even members from this House disgustingly celebrated this televised male violence against a woman that cheated her out of the competition. Sport is played with our bodies. Men, on average, are much stronger and faster. Biology matters. Angela and many other women who have been forced to compete against men have been put at risk of harm.

This should never happen in a sporting event, anywhere, ever again. Opposition amendments would at least help ensure it cannot happen on British soil. There has thankfully been some progress. In March this year, the International Olympic Committee announced that from the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, eligibility for women's competition would be determined through a one time non-invasive genetic test via a cheek swab. This will apply across Olympic sports, with the IOC explicitly recognising the importance of fairness and safety following the controversies of Paris. This is a welcome step towards restoring confidence in women's sport in this country.

We do not accept cheating. We do not accept women being treated as second class citizens and we respect the law, which is very clear on this matter. And this is so important because sporting organisations, even after for Women's Scotland, are still failing to ensure that the women's category does not include males, they continue to turn a blind eye or come up with spurious reasons why they can sidestep the law. Take table tennis and squash here in England, both governing bodies now recognise the importance of biological sex in determining eligibility for women's competitions. But both operate a two tier system.

Table Tennis England restricts its women's category at nationally ranked competitions to female players, yet allows males to compete in women's categories at local level. England Squash similarly excludes males from its female category in regulated competitions, but permits their participation in recreational competitions. Both organisations accept the need for fairness at higher levels, while sacrificing the integrity of the female category further down. But surely fairness matters to women at the grassroots just as much as it does to elite athletes? Why should a woman playing in her local league be entitled to any less consideration than a national champion?

Do they not realise that cheating a young girl out of her rightful podium place at grassroots level means that she is more likely to give up any dreams? To progress further, consider FIFA, which governs the Women's World Cup. Its gender verification regulations date back to 2011. Place responsibility largely on national football associations and expressly rule out routine testing. FIFA announced a review of these rules years ago, yet we are still waiting for a clear, updated approach. The consequences of these differing standards are already apparent. Zambia's Barbara Banda was withdrawn from the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations on gender eligibility grounds, yet subsequently competed at the 2023 Women's World Cup and was named the BBC Women's Footballer of the year in 2024.

A once in a lifetime sex screen would ensure that no male is competing in such events, or take the most recent announcement by the London Marathon. They are considering allowing male pacemakers into the elite women's race next year. They say it's to help women shatter the world record. But is it? In the words of the famed Olympian Baroness Davis of Devonport, so do they have cheetahs to pacemaker for men's races or just other men? Maybe. Even if the London Marathons intentions are entirely honourable, they will be changing a single sex race into a mixed sex one, opening the door for male competitors to participate and win.

It is exactly this type of thing that our amendments would prevent for such major sporting events. So what would the protections in opposition New schedule two actually do? Firstly, it would require the Secretary of State before applying the sporting events framework to be satisfied that organisers will ensure competitors in single sex events compete against those of the same biological sex. It would also require single sex accommodation, changing and washing facilities and toilets for competitors and officials. These protections would extend to spectators and staff ensuring access to appropriate single sex toilets, changing and washing facilities. Our amendment also seeks to prevent financial assistance being provided to sporting events or associated legacy and social impact programmes, where the required protections are not observed.

The opposition do not believe that any male should be competing in women's sport at all, and we do not support any sporting organisation benefiting from this bill or getting taxpayer support if they do not respect the law. The Minister may once again tell us that existing legislation is sufficient. We have already heard that argument in committee. We remain unconvinced. I suspect the female athletes losing podium places to biological men would feel the same. I know there are many sensible members on the Labour benches that entirely agree with us on this. There may even be a couple on the Lib Dem benches.

None on the Greens do. So today I am asking those members and the government more broadly to be brave and do the right thing back amendment eight and the single sex protections it would help establish to ensure women's sport at these sporting events is protected, that only females can compete. And if you're still feeling a bit yellow about it, do it for your daughters, do it for your wives and do it for your mums. This is about ensuring that female athletes can compete fairly, that sportswomen have access to appropriate facilities, and that the sporting organisations benefiting from this framework are held to the highest standards.

In closing, Madam Deputy Speaker, this bill offers a rare opportunity to strengthen Britain's position as a leading host of major sporting events. We support that ambition. We welcome the improvements already made during its passage and have put forward a number of reasonable amendments to that end. But we can and must go further. After all, what is the point of putting on a world class competition if no one can get to it? And if the games are

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rigged from the start? Thank you. For the Minister Minister Stephanie Peacock.

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Stephanie Peacock. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Now, today's debate has broadly shown the cross-party recognition of the importance of recognition of the importance of major sporting events and their ability to showcase the very best of our country. The UK is a world of our country. The UK is a world leader when it comes to host a major sporting events, and this bill will make sure we continue to
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Stephanie Peacock Portrait Stephanie Peacock MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) (Barnsley South, Labour)
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attract the world's biggest sporting moments and welcome the social and economic benefits they

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bring. This. I will give way. Yes. I apologise for not being here the very beginning because I have the very beginning because I have no event to be. But I wanted to ask this question very specifically running any sporting event at a Commonwealth Games football Commonwealth Games football tournament, whatever it may be, for one city to do on their own is almost impossible because of almost impossible because of financial costs. But but it might be possible to do that across a number of cities within the United Kingdom.

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Has government given that commitment to ensuring that if we have a football tournament that Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England can be part of that showpiece taking place, or if it's a Commonwealth Games, something similar?

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Yeah, I'm the hon. Gentleman. It's an incredibly important point. We're working together on Euro 2028, which is the first tournament with which is the first tournament with which this bill will apply. And of course, this is a framework bill that covers ticketing, transport, that covers ticketing, transport, advertising, trading and unauthorised association. And as I committed to its Second Reading, proportionality is now embedded in proportionality is now embedded in these powers, making sure everyone can benefit when the world comes to visit us, in particular small and visit us, in particular small and micro sized businesses. And after valuable discussion in this House and the other place, we are pleased that the Bill will also extend to our world class recurrent events, allowing internationally acclaimed events the opportunity to apply to and benefit from the powers of this bill.

Now, I am grateful to contributions from across the House, and I will indeed give way to the chair of the Select Committee.

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Grateful to the Minister for giving way and for coming to appear in front of our Select Committee inquiry into major events earlier inquiry into major events earlier in the year. At that session, we asked what more she could do to demonstrate the government were gripping this. And so the extension gripping this. And so the extension to more events other than these one off is really good. But as I mentioned earlier, we do risk creating a kind of two tier ticketing system because the rules relate to sporting events, but music events and other cultural music events and other cultural events are left waiting for a solution that was in the manifesto but hasn't yet come.

Can she give any updates today on when we might be able to expect this ticket touting bill that can set out the restrictions on who can operate in the secondary market and how that can be more legislative,

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legislatively fair. I'm grateful to the Select Committee for their work and indeed for the hon. Member. I really for the hon. Member. I really appreciated the work on the major events, and I listened to most of the evidence that her committee took. We're absolutely committed to took. We're absolutely committed to getting that on the statute book, and I'll come on to it in a moment. I'd like to say I'm grateful to the I'd like to say I'm grateful to the former sports Minister for all his work and for his contribution. I believe he raised the question about why transport isn't included about why transport isn't included for recurrent events.

We have had a conversation about this with stakeholders, and we're confident that recurrent events already have robust transport provisions in place. But this issue was raised in detail at committee, and I have written to the relevant Transport Minister to raise those concerns. I was grateful to the Member for Southend East and Harlow for their support and contribution. I think their contributions highlighted that major events contribute to communities across our country. Now, the Member for Eastleigh asked about small businesses on drawing the zone. That is much tighter where we work with things like Euro 28 than recurrent events.

But I am. Give me one second. I have lost my place, but I'm happy to speak to the hon. Member with. Sorry, I'm going to have to take a moment. Sorry.

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Intervention. Chris Vince. Chris Kane. Chris Vince. I think it's Chris

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Vince. OK. Would the Minister agree with me that it's hugely important that we celebrate all levels of that we celebrate all levels of sport from grassroots football, like Roydon FC to the mighty Harlow

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town and of course, to Leeds United. Minister Peacock. I'm grateful to the hon. Gentleman, grateful for the House Gentleman, grateful for the House for being understanding. He makes a really important point. I would now just like to turn to the issue of ticketing the amendments tabled by the hon. Member for Frome and East Somerset deal with ticketing and as I said to the chair of the Select Committee, we are committed to tackling industrial scale touting. However, this bill is not the place. Upcoming tickets out bill will. In yes I will, yes.

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Jim Shannon the Minister we're very appreciative of all the work that you do as Minister for the that you do as Minister for the Department, and your enthusiasm and your energy is something that we very much respect, and we understand that that you're

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understand that that you're bringing forward some legislative change that we wish to see and that we welcome. I think the Minister.

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I think the Minister. Is just about to conclude. Final word. Yes. So I think he makes a really, really important point. I really, really important point. I think we've had a very good debate on this, in particular in committee. I'm grateful for the support of the

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whole House. We are a world leader bill. Fantastic job, fantastic job.

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Fantastic job, fantastic job. Minister, is it the pleasure that the new clause will be moved? Is it your pleasure that new clause one be moved?

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one be moved? Yes, I formally move. The question. Is that new clause one be read a second time. As many

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one be read a second time. As many that say I Of the contrary, no. No, Claire. Right. Right. Mr. Right. Mr. Gagan Mohindra, Mr. Jim Shannon. Fantastic. Fantastic. The question Gethins.
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None Portrait Legislation: Sporting Events Bill: Division:New Clause 1
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I. tellers for the ayes Lee Dillon on his crutches and Will Forster and

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Yes.
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None Portrait Legislation: Sporting Events Bill:Report: Division:New Clause 1
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Lisa Nandy Portrait Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Wigan, Labour)
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I beg to. record of hosting the world's greatest sporting events from Glasgow and Birmingham this summer. And who can forget the 2012 Olympic And who can forget the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, delivered by the late and great Tessa Jowell, who is still much Tessa Jowell, who is still much missed by all of us in this House. And I would like to pay tribute to the hon. Member who oversaw an extraordinarily successful Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as well. It really did show what this country is capable of in a world where too many things divide us.

 Sport has the remarkable capacity to unite, to bring communities together and show the best of our country to the world. Perhaps its greatest power is what it can do for the next generation. I was privileged to be at the Red roses historic win at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, and see Twickenham packed to the rafters cheering them on. What made me proud are still was seeing what followed thousands of girls taking their first steps into rugby, signing up to their local clubs and discovering what they were capable for. This is what we should always strive for and we have some extraordinary opportunities ahead of us.

The two tour de France Grand departs come to Great Britain next summer and create the most accessible major sporting event our country has ever hosted. Millions of people will get the chance to get up close to some of the greatest competitors in the world, and I hope to inspire a new generation into cycling. The UEFA European Championship in 2028 will give us a summer of extraordinary football, and its legacy, we are determined, will be about much more than what happens in the stadiums across the whole of the United Kingdom, and that must, of course, include great benefits to Northern Ireland.

The. Of course.

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For giving. Wait a slightly technical point, but with mega events such as just been talking about. There can be issues with about. There can be issues with unauthorised car parking whereby. This causes major problems for the event organisers and I've been one myself with traffic management systems and others. Would you agree that it might be appropriate to have exclusion zones around these stadiums and other and other stadiums and other and other sporting venues to ensure that the the event organisers work with any landowner who wishes to operate an landowner who wishes to operate an unauthorised car park and far be it from me to.

To deter such entrepreneurial spirit, but to

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ensure that they work together so that the event organisers can better organise those traffic management plans. For the. Response before the Minister

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Response before the Minister responds. Just to let backbenchers know you and yours not appropriate for the chamber. Minister thank you.

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for the chamber. Minister thank you. I very much took this concern as directed at me, Madam Deputy Speaker, and he's right to raise it Speaker, and he's right to raise it because it can be a significant problem. Transport provisions are already covered as part of the already covered as part of the scope of the bill, but we would, of course, always be happy to work with the hon. Member and others who share our concerns around making sure these events are successful, if there are any particular issues that arise. Subsequently, the UEFA European Championship in 2028 is going to be an incredible moment for our country.

It's going to projected to deliver a six fold return on public investment, and we're going to use this opportunity to get more people playing football, to strengthen our grassroots clubs and to open up opportunities right across the country. Members will also know that we have bid for the FIFA 2035 Women's World Cup and the 2029 World Para Athletics Championships, and this government is committed to seeing the rider and solemn cups hosted here. And as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced last week, we have committed £7 million to a detailed feasibility study for a potential bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the north of England in the 2040s.

Madam Deputy Speaker, this is personal for me. I grew up in the north of England, in Manchester. I watched as we unsuccessfully bid for the Olympic Games many, many years ago. I watched many people across the country tell us it couldn't be done, that Manchester couldn't host major sporting events, and then only a few years later, we went on to host a really successful Commonwealth Games and show the world how it was done. Every part of this country deserves the chance to contribute to our incredibly rich legacy in major sporting events. We believe the North of England has so much to offer, and we are determined to make sure that the rest of the world gets the chance to see that.

Underpinning all of this is a belief that the benefits of hosting major events should not be confined to the host city, or to those fortunate enough to secure a ticket. They should be felt in towns and cities, in our schools and sports clubs, and in communities across all four nations of the UK, and inspire a generation of young people to go on and live the richer, larger lives they deserve. This bill allows us to stand ready to host the biggest events in the world, to protect the integrity of those events, to ensure that people can enjoy them and make certain that the benefits reach as far as possible.

I am really grateful to members across this House who have engaged so constructively and thoughtfully with us during the passage of this bill to support us on the provisions that we all believe will improve the way that we host major sporting events. And to improve the bill itself. I'd also like to thank our Whip, in particular, the Member for Luton South and South Bedfordshire, for her sterling work on this bill. Our whips are often unsung heroes in this place, and without them, the major benefits that we deliver to the people of this country would simply not happen.

In particular, the the improvements that hon. Members have helped us to make have broadened the scope so that some of our world class recurrent events can also benefit from its provisions in future. We've heard loud and clear the importance of getting the balance right to provide effective protections for major sporting events, while ensuring that the framework offers operates fairly and proportionately for businesses and communities, and I am pleased that these safeguards are now strengthened in the Bill.

I do want to address a few of the concerns that we've heard today
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