Oral Answers to Questions

Luke Taylor Excerpts

Thursday 27th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Henry Tufnell (Mid and South Pembrokeshire) (Lab)]

5. What plans her Department has to increase access to grassroots multi-sport facilities.

[Luke Taylor (Sutton and Cheam) (LD)]

12. What steps her Department is taking to help support grassroots sports clubs in London.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

13. What steps her Department is taking to help support grassroots sports facilities.

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephanie Peacock]

First, I pay tribute to Haverfordwest County AFC and the many grassroots clubs across the country for their important work in making sport accessible to communities. The Government are committed to continuing to support local clubs through investment in the multi-sport grassroots facilities programme. I join my hon. Friend in wishing Haverfordwest County AFC the very best of luck with the rest of the season.

[Luke Taylor]

My fantastic local football club, Sutton United, provides excellent opportunities in grassroots sports through its junior, women and disabled teams, and it even has a walking football club for those of us, Mr Speaker, who need a gentler pace of play. However, it tells me that it desperately needs access to more training facilities to ensure there is year-round football for all players. The training pitch the club uses in the local park is often waterlogged and unusable. Will the Minister support Sutton United in securing a new all-weather pitch? Will she meet me and the club to discuss potential sources of funding to make that a reality?

[Stephanie Peacock]

Those are issues that I have heard in my own constituency. I would be delighted to meet him and will perhaps set up a meeting with the Football Foundation too.