Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Crausby and Tracey Crouch

Thursday 21st January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East) (Lab)]

T7. What progress has been made in securing at least 5% of the Premier League TV deal for grassroots football? Children’s football is virtually unplayable at this time of year, yet the Premier League continues to throw money around as though it is going out of fashion.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Tracey Crouch)]

The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that through negotiations and discussions with the Premier League I have managed to secure at least double what it currently invests in grassroots football. That will be more than £100 million per annum from the domestic TV rights, which equates to about 6.5% of the total.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Crausby and Tracey Crouch

Thursday 22nd October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East) (Lab)]

T3. Will the Secretary of State and his team put heavy pressure on the Premier League to support grassroots football through the TV rights deal, instead of squandering it on already very rich footballers while our children get changed in the winter besides a muddy, often unplayable pitch?

[Tracey Crouch]

I read the hon. Gentleman’s recent piece in The Huffington Post and agreed with not necessarily the tone but the principle of what he wrote. The Premier League is incredibly wealthy and we should celebrate that success, but it should contribute more to grassroots football. The Prime Minister announced recently that he wishes the Premier League to double the amount of money it puts into grassroots football. I will continue to have strong conversations with the Premier League over the forthcoming weeks.