Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the potential impact of proposed statutory uniform limits on the rate of participation in school sports what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential impact of proposed statutory uniform limits on the rate of participation in school sports.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
School uniforms play a valuable role in creating a sense of common identity among pupils and reducing visible inequalities; however, too many schools require high numbers of branded uniform items, including branded PE kit.
The government has, in line with its manifesto commitment, introduced legislation to limit the number of branded items of uniform and PE kit that schools can require, to bring down costs for parents and remove barriers from children accessing sport and other school activities.
We expect schools to ensure that all pupils can participate in all aspects of school life, including PE and sport. No pupil should be discouraged from participating in any aspect of school life, such as interschool competitions, because of the cost of additional uniform requirements. This limit allows school leaders to prioritise branding the uniform and PE kit items which best reflect the needs of their school.
Research also suggests that the more choice that girls in particular have over what to wear for PE, the more they are comfortable and the greater the likelihood of their long term participation in sport. This research is available here: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/43602/documents/216689/default/.
Guidance already encourages schools to select PE kit items that are comfortable, practical and appropriate for all students. Together with new limits on unnecessary branded items, this approach will help to ensure that all students, including girls, feel confident and able to participate fully in physical activities.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the VAT exemption for disability-adapted motor vehicles.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) are subject to a zero rate of VAT when purchased by a disabled person for their personal use, or by a charity that will make the vehicle available to disabled people.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.
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 Football Association, (b) the Women's Super League and (c) football clubs on the adequacy of the provision of mental health services for female professional football players.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is committed to supporting every aspect of women’s sport, including player welfare.
In 2023, Karen Carney OBE published a major Independent Review of Women’s Football. The Review placed a significant emphasis on the importance of player welfare and recommended uplifting the medical support requirements within licensing criteria, as well as extending players’ access to medical provision for a period of six months following retirement. The Review also highlighted the importance of performance psychologists within high-performance sports. It recommended that this role become mandatory, to provide players with a clearly identifiable route, should they wish to raise any concerns regarding their wellbeing.
This Government fully endorses those recommendations and looks forward to ensuring tangible progress is made. The Minister for Sport met with women’s football stakeholders - including the FA and the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) - in November 2024 to advise them of her intent to track progress against the Review recommendations. At this meeting, the Minister emphasised the importance of the welfare and duty of care to players, and advised stakeholders that she is keen to drive progress in this area. The Minister will shortly reconvene the group to understand progress against the recommendations of the Review, including around mental health provision for players.
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 impact of the proposed two-tier test system on (a) grass-roots and (b) county level cricket in England and Wales.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game, and provides vital funds that filter down to the grassroots game. County level and international cricket competition formatting, and consideration of its impact, is the responsibility of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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 the Football Association's decision to scrap FA cup replays on the financial sustainability of (a) EFL teams and (b) non-league football teams.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the emotive and financial significance of the FA Cup, especially for smaller clubs.
The matter of FA Cup scheduling, including replays, is ultimately a matter for the football authorities. We expect the FA and Premier League to consult with the EFL and other leagues further down the pyramid on moves such as this and reach agreements collectively.
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the upcoming Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel tolls on congestion at the Dartford crossing.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL is responsible for assessing any impact of tolls on the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels on congestion in the area. However, given the additional capacity provided by the Silvertown Tunnel and that for most of the day the charges for cars, vans and lorries at the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels will be less than those at the Dartford Crossing, the Department expects minimal changes in total demand at the Dartford Crossing when tolling begins
Asked by: Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it is her policy to continue the Opening Schools Facilities funding.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
This government is determined to create the healthiest generation ever and break down the barriers to opportunity for every child.
We are working across government to ensure that our funding is coherent and effectively contributes to a lasting and sustainable impact on children’s physical activity levels and the provision of more opportunities for all children to participate in sport. The work sits alongside that of other system levers, for instance the Curriculum and Assessment Review which is examining how to deliver a curriculum which is rich and broad, so that children and young people do not miss out on subjects such as sport.
The Opening School Facilities programme will end in March as planned. The learning from the programme will help inform the department’s ongoing work to support high-quality PE, school sport and physical activity for all pupils.
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 recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of recategorising sporting events designated as listed events under the Ofcom Code on Sport and Other listed and Designated Events.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The listed events regime aims to ensure many of the nation's biggest sporting events are free-to-air wherever possible while protecting competition organisers' ability to raise income from the sale of broadcast rights to invest in their sports. The government has no plans to amend the regime at this time.
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 Education on (a) sport in and (b) other aspects of the school curriculum review.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport regularly engages with the Secretary of State for Education on a range of issues, including school sport. Minister Peacock recently attended a roundtable discussion with PE and school sport sector leaders, hosted by the Minister for Schools.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will work closely with the Department for Education on the curriculum review.
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 the financial sustainability of rugby union in England.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Rugby Union has a vital role to play in our national identity. I recently met with the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby to discuss the future of the sport. The RFU is independent of the Government and is responsible for the regulation of rugby union, and for protecting and promoting the financial sustainability of the sport.
DCMS continues to work with the RFU, representatives of Premiership clubs and Championship clubs, and the wider sport sector to support the ongoing sustainability of elite and community level rugby union.