Oral Answers to Questions

Laurence Robertson Excerpts

Thursday 16th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Frazer]

I am happy to speak to my colleagues in Government to understand how we can further support journalists. We have led a great deal of action recently and over a number of years to support journalists both here and abroad, and we have set up a number of funds and taskforces to support them.

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

6. When she plans to appoint an independent football regulator.

[Christian Wakeford (Bury South) (Lab)]

9. What her planned timetable is for establishing an independent regulator for English football.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lucy Frazer)]

The Government remain committed to putting fans at the heart of football and to ensuring that the game has a sustainable financial future. The football governance Bill was included in the King’s Speech, and we intend to work closely with the Football Association, the leagues and fan associations to build the best independent regulator possible.

[Mr Robertson]

I thank the Secretary of State for that response. My understanding is that while negotiations are taking place between the Premier League and the English Football League, there has not yet been agreement on redistribution of money. Is there anything she can do to bring the two sides together so that progress can be made on that very important issue?

[Lucy Frazer]

I understand my hon. Friend’s concerns. It is really important that football comes to a deal in relation to distributions. I support him in encouraging the football associations to do so, and I continue to urge them to reach an agreement in that area. Although our preference is a football-led solution, given the importance of distributions to financial sustainability, the independent football regulator will have targeted statutory powers to intervene on financial distributions as a last resort, if necessary. If football fails to deliver a solution, the regulator will deliver one.