Oral Answers to Questions

Amanda Martin Excerpts

Thursday 3rd September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Stephanie Peacock]

We have always been clear that national sporting governing bodies will set their own policies for who can participate. It is incredibly important that we prioritise fairness, safety and competition, while balancing the need for inclusion and ensuring that everyone can participate.

[Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North) (Lab)]

3. What steps she is taking to ensure that her Department’s funding for culture reaches communities in all parts of the country.

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

6. What steps she is taking to improve access to cultural amenities in towns and rural areas.

[The Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Ian Murray)]

Everyone should be able to participate in and enjoy culture wherever they live in the country. Through our arts everywhere programme, we are investing £1.5 billion into arts, culture and heritage across England. In addition, our UK city and town of culture competitions are empowering cities and towns to celebrate their local culture, and we are focusing investment and engagement in our culture priority places to ensure that the benefits of culture can be felt everywhere.

[Amanda Martin]

Statistically, Portsmouth more closely resembles places such as Hull, Gateshead and the Wirral than its neighbours on the south coast. Our region is often overlooked as affluent, but my city has suffered loss of industry and faces serious deprivation and child poverty. Bringing in the good vibes, however, Portsmouth has so much to offer, from our historic dockyard to seafront creative activities and festivals, and Portsmouth is bursting with talent. This August we officially submitted our bid to become UK city of culture. Does the Minister agree that it is time for the first city of culture in the south of England and that Portsmouth deserves that investment?