Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mims Davies and David Evennett

Thursday 21st April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mims Davies (Eastleigh) (Con)]

3. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of his Department’s spending review settlement on funding for grassroots sport.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr David Evennett)]

The Department secured a very positive spending review settlement last year. Over this Parliament we will invest more money in grassroots sport than ever before. The settlement reflects the Government’s continued support for the positive outcomes that sport can bring and will be spent in line with the new Government strategy, Sporting Future, which sets out how we will encourage more people from every background to engage in sport and physical activity.

[Mims Davies]

What assessment has the Minister made of councils intervening and affecting grassroots sports participation, such as Parkrun, by insisting on charging for wear and tear?

[Mr Evennett]

This is obviously a matter for the council and Parkrun, but the decision to charge for an event that is free in locations across the UK and around the world is one that we, as a Government, think should be reconsidered. We want to remove barriers to participation and encourage more and more people to get involved in sport. That is the key message that the Government want to get across.