Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to provide funding for London Sport’s campaign entitled More Ball Games.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our arm’s length body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport at grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all as set out in its “Uniting the Movement” strategy.
For 2022-27, London Sport received £14,644,735 from Sport England as System Partner investment to contribute to delivering Uniting the Movement. Sport England have not given money directly to fund the “More Ball Games” campaign, but London Sport have a degree of autonomy on how they allocate their System Partner funding to contribute to Uniting the Movement.
Sport England will continue to work with its System Partners such as London Sport to increase opportunities for everyone to play grassroots sport and take part in physical activity.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of London Sport’s campaign entitled More Ball Games.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our arm’s length body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport at grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all as set out in its “Uniting the Movement” strategy.
For 2022-27, London Sport received £14,644,735 from Sport England as System Partner investment to contribute to delivering Uniting the Movement. Sport England have not given money directly to fund the “More Ball Games” campaign, but London Sport have a degree of autonomy on how they allocate their System Partner funding to contribute to Uniting the Movement.
Sport England will continue to work with its System Partners such as London Sport to increase opportunities for everyone to play grassroots sport and take part in physical activity.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that children have access to (a) safe and (b) welcoming spaces for (i) play and (ii) sport within their communities.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Playgrounds are a vital part of our social infrastructure. They contribute to the health and development of children and young people across the nation and build on the Government’s mission of opportunities for all by ensuring everyone has the best start in life.
The National Design Guide demonstrates how new development can promote inclusive design by creating buildings and spaces that are safe, social and inclusive. This should include spaces for comfort, relaxation and stimulation, including play.
In addition, everyone should be able to take part in sport safely. National Governing Bodies (NGBs) are responsible for the regulation of their sports and for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm. Whilst NGBs are independent of Government, we are clear that health and safety of participants, including children, must be their top priority.
The Government is investing £100 million through the Multi Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to build and upgrade high-quality grassroots sports pitches and facilities in the communities across the UK that need it most, including children and young people.
On 20 June 2025, the Culture Secretary announced that following Spending Review, at least £400 million is going to be invested into new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities in communities right across the UK, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We will work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 55042 on Football Governance Bill (HL), what was discussed with UEFA on the Football Governance Bill at that meeting; and whether she plans to meet UEFA before the (a) third reading of the Football Governance Bill in the House of Commons and (b) independent football regulator is established.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Secretary of State and I continue to meet with clubs, leagues, governing bodies, fan groups and many other stakeholders from across the game to discuss the Football Governance Bill. This will continue throughout the Bill’s passage and beyond.
During my last discussion with UEFA on 11 November, we discussed a range of topics including the Football Governance Bill. UEFA expressed no concerns regarding the Bill.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2025 to Question 53237 on Football Governance Bill (HL), when she last met with UEFA to discuss the Football Governance Bill.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
I last met with UEFA on 11 November, after the Football Governance Bill’s introduction to Parliament. This is in addition to the regular discussions that officials in my department have with UEFA.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) the National Lottery Community Fund on the potential merits of reopening the Million Hours Fund.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
In a written statement on 15 May 2025, the Secretary of State announced DCMS’ commitment to provide a further £12 million in 2025/2026 to the Million Hours Fund. Working in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, we are exploring matched funding options to leverage additional investment. Further details will be shared in due course.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the Youth Justice Sport Fund; and if she will reopen it.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
I have not discussed the former Youth Justice Sport Fund with the Secretary of State for Justice and have no plans to reopen the fund.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many appointments have been made to the Shadow Football Regulator; and how many of these were previously employed in her Department (a) employees, (b) advisers and (c) appointees to DCMS-appointed Sports Advisory Groups in the last five years.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
All appointments to the Shadow Football Regulator are made in accordance with Civil Service Commission rules. As at 1 June, the Shadow Football Regulator has 42 employees. 11 employees joined the Shadow Football Regulator having previously been employed in DCMS; two employees joined having formerly advised DCMS.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) adult gaming centres and (b) bingo clubs on communities.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
DCMS regularly engages with Members of Parliament, local authorities, the gambling industry, and members of the public on issues such as adult gaming centres. The Government uses various data sources to assess policies and impacts, including data provided by the Gambling Commission and the industry, a range of research findings, and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders.
The Government recognises the contributions that adult gaming centres and bingo clubs make to the economy and communities such as seaside towns, including providing local employment and spaces where people can have fun and socialise. But, as set out in the Minister for Gambling’s recent correspondence with the sector, we are also aware of concerns about how the adult gaming centre sector protects vulnerable people, and we will seek further assurance on how the sector is addressing these concerns. We will continue to work with the whole land-based gambling sector to mitigate the risks of gambling-related harm and strengthen player protections in venues and to support a growing gambling industry.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of adult gaming centres on seaside towns.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
DCMS regularly engages with Members of Parliament, local authorities, the gambling industry, and members of the public on issues such as adult gaming centres. The Government uses various data sources to assess policies and impacts, including data provided by the Gambling Commission and the industry, a range of research findings, and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders.
The Government recognises the contributions that adult gaming centres and bingo clubs make to the economy and communities such as seaside towns, including providing local employment and spaces where people can have fun and socialise. But, as set out in the Minister for Gambling’s recent correspondence with the sector, we are also aware of concerns about how the adult gaming centre sector protects vulnerable people, and we will seek further assurance on how the sector is addressing these concerns. We will continue to work with the whole land-based gambling sector to mitigate the risks of gambling-related harm and strengthen player protections in venues and to support a growing gambling industry.