Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of access to (a) covered and (b) indoor sports facilities, particularly in socially deprived areas.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government will invest £400m in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities, promoting health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities.
We provide the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding in areas of greatest need to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions.
We are ensuring that future grassroots sports facilities funding programmes are tailored to local demand, and provide communities with year-round facilities where that demand exists. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities, which means delivering a range of facilities across the UK.
Through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities (MSGF) Programme, we are ensuring investment reaches those who need it most. In 2026/27, we are investing in artificial grass pitches, which play a crucial role in getting more people active across the UK. They provide year-round playing surfaces which can sustain up to 80 hours of use per week - significantly more than grass pitches, helping more people to access the benefits of physical activity.
At least 40% of MSGF-funded projects will have a multi-sport offer to allow more people to participate in sports other than football. This means that more people can get access to a wider variety of sports and activities that appeal to them including rugby, cricket and basketball. Projects are also required to generate partner funding, ensuring we achieve value for money on Government investment.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
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 ensure that future capital funding helps to tackle disparities in access to year-round sporting provision.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government will invest £400m in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities, promoting health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities.
We provide the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding in areas of greatest need to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions.
We are ensuring that future grassroots sports facilities funding programmes are tailored to local demand, and provide communities with year-round facilities where that demand exists. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities, which means delivering a range of facilities across the UK.
Through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities (MSGF) Programme, we are ensuring investment reaches those who need it most. In 2026/27, we are investing in artificial grass pitches, which play a crucial role in getting more people active across the UK. They provide year-round playing surfaces which can sustain up to 80 hours of use per week - significantly more than grass pitches, helping more people to access the benefits of physical activity.
At least 40% of MSGF-funded projects will have a multi-sport offer to allow more people to participate in sports other than football. This means that more people can get access to a wider variety of sports and activities that appeal to them including rugby, cricket and basketball. Projects are also required to generate partner funding, ensuring we achieve value for money on Government investment.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she had made of the potential merits of providing multi-year capital funding settlements for community facilities to help national governing bodies and local partners to (a) plan, (b) deliver matched funding and (c) achieve value for money.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government will invest £400m in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities, promoting health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities.
We provide the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding in areas of greatest need to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions.
We are ensuring that future grassroots sports facilities funding programmes are tailored to local demand, and provide communities with year-round facilities where that demand exists. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities, which means delivering a range of facilities across the UK.
Through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities (MSGF) Programme, we are ensuring investment reaches those who need it most. In 2026/27, we are investing in artificial grass pitches, which play a crucial role in getting more people active across the UK. They provide year-round playing surfaces which can sustain up to 80 hours of use per week - significantly more than grass pitches, helping more people to access the benefits of physical activity.
At least 40% of MSGF-funded projects will have a multi-sport offer to allow more people to participate in sports other than football. This means that more people can get access to a wider variety of sports and activities that appeal to them including rugby, cricket and basketball. Projects are also required to generate partner funding, ensuring we achieve value for money on Government investment.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
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 ensure public funding for sports facilities increases participation among (a) women, (b) people with disabilities, (c) and inactive communities.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government will invest £400m in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities, promoting health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities.
We provide the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding in areas of greatest need to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions.
We are ensuring that future grassroots sports facilities funding programmes are tailored to local demand, and provide communities with year-round facilities where that demand exists. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities, which means delivering a range of facilities across the UK.
Through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities (MSGF) Programme, we are ensuring investment reaches those who need it most. In 2026/27, we are investing in artificial grass pitches, which play a crucial role in getting more people active across the UK. They provide year-round playing surfaces which can sustain up to 80 hours of use per week - significantly more than grass pitches, helping more people to access the benefits of physical activity.
At least 40% of MSGF-funded projects will have a multi-sport offer to allow more people to participate in sports other than football. This means that more people can get access to a wider variety of sports and activities that appeal to them including rugby, cricket and basketball. Projects are also required to generate partner funding, ensuring we achieve value for money on Government investment.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how her Department ensures that public funding for sports facilities supports a wide range of sports.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government will invest £400m in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities, promoting health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities.
We provide the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding in areas of greatest need to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions.
We are ensuring that future grassroots sports facilities funding programmes are tailored to local demand, and provide communities with year-round facilities where that demand exists. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities, which means delivering a range of facilities across the UK.
Through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities (MSGF) Programme, we are ensuring investment reaches those who need it most. In 2026/27, we are investing in artificial grass pitches, which play a crucial role in getting more people active across the UK. They provide year-round playing surfaces which can sustain up to 80 hours of use per week - significantly more than grass pitches, helping more people to access the benefits of physical activity.
At least 40% of MSGF-funded projects will have a multi-sport offer to allow more people to participate in sports other than football. This means that more people can get access to a wider variety of sports and activities that appeal to them including rugby, cricket and basketball. Projects are also required to generate partner funding, ensuring we achieve value for money on Government investment.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment she has made of the competitiveness of the capital framework of (a) the UK and (b) international counterparts.
Answered by Rachel Blake - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Achieving growth with good jobs and higher living standards in all parts of the country is an central priority for this government, and it is essential that the UK’s capital framework supports this. HM Treasury is responsible for the overall regulatory framework, including through the legislation underpinning it, ensuring the authorities have clear responsibilities and objectives, with effective powers. This reflects the UK’s established FSMA model of regulation, under which Parliament and HM Treasury set the overall framework, while independent regulators are responsible for developing detailed firm-facing rules.
The Bank of England, including through the Financial Policy Committee (FPC), is responsible for the UK’s bank capital framework. The FPC has a primary objective to maintain financial stability and a secondary objective to support the Government’s economic policy, including growth. The Chancellor’s 2025 remit letter to the FPC sets out that the capital framework should strike an appropriate balance between resilience, growth and competitiveness over the medium to long term.
The FPC is currently undertaking a review of bank capital requirements to ensure that the banking system is appropriately capitalised to support sustainable growth over the long term, and taking into consideration the approach of international counterparts. The Committee set out initial findings alongside the December 2025 Financial Stability Report, including in a ‘Financial Stability in Focus’ publication.
This sets out the Committee’s view that the appropriate benchmark for the system-wide level of capital requirements could be lowered by 1 percentage point. The FPC has identified three further areas to assess as part of the review: leverage-based capital requirements, capital buffers, and overlaps between capital requirements. The Bank has since been undertaking structured industry engagement and will update on its next steps in the next Financial Stability Report.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to (a) deliver reform to the UK’s capital framework and (b) support growth.
Answered by Rachel Blake - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Achieving growth with good jobs and higher living standards in all parts of the country is an central priority for this government, and it is essential that the UK’s capital framework supports this. HM Treasury is responsible for the overall regulatory framework, including through the legislation underpinning it, ensuring the authorities have clear responsibilities and objectives, with effective powers. This reflects the UK’s established FSMA model of regulation, under which Parliament and HM Treasury set the overall framework, while independent regulators are responsible for developing detailed firm-facing rules.
The Bank of England, including through the Financial Policy Committee (FPC), is responsible for the UK’s bank capital framework. The FPC has a primary objective to maintain financial stability and a secondary objective to support the Government’s economic policy, including growth. The Chancellor’s 2025 remit letter to the FPC sets out that the capital framework should strike an appropriate balance between resilience, growth and competitiveness over the medium to long term.
The FPC is currently undertaking a review of bank capital requirements to ensure that the banking system is appropriately capitalised to support sustainable growth over the long term, and taking into consideration the approach of international counterparts. The Committee set out initial findings alongside the December 2025 Financial Stability Report, including in a ‘Financial Stability in Focus’ publication.
This sets out the Committee’s view that the appropriate benchmark for the system-wide level of capital requirements could be lowered by 1 percentage point. The FPC has identified three further areas to assess as part of the review: leverage-based capital requirements, capital buffers, and overlaps between capital requirements. The Bank has since been undertaking structured industry engagement and will update on its next steps in the next Financial Stability Report.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the status of National Wealth Fund Bill.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The National Wealth Fund has the remit it needs to invest in a wide range of projects, businesses, and assets to drive growth across the UK.
HMG has provided NWF with a total capitalisation of £27.8bn and has invested £5.8bn since its launch in 2024.
Since the Chancellor’s Strategic Steer was issued, the NWF has undertaken extensive market engagement and is delivering significant investment alongside the private sector, supporting jobs and growth across the country.
The NWF’s recently published strategic plan will support 200,000 jobs and unlock over £100 billion of investment into the UK, without requiring new legislation.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that the prosecution and processes that support sexual offence cases, are compliant with the Victims’ Code.
Answered by Catherine Atkinson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Victims’ Code sets out what victims can expect from the criminal justice system. The Ministry of Justice recently consulted on a draft Victims’ Code (this closed on 30 April) and the Department is currently analysing the consultation responses to ensure the Government gets the foundations right for victims in the new Code. The new Code will be complimented by a Code compliance framework which, once implemented, will place new statutory duties for criminal justice agencies, including the courts, to demonstrate compliance with victims’ rights under the Code.
To ensure victims have the support they need whilst engaging in the court process, the Courts and Tribunals Bill, will strengthen access to special measures to help victims be able to participate effectively in the justice process. For example, screening the witness from the defendant or enabling evidence via video link can help vulnerable and intimidated witnesses give their best evidence.
The Crown Prosecution Service also offers pre-trial meetings to adult victims of rape and serious sexual offences before they give evidence at court or before they pre-record their cross examination. Through the Code consultation, the Department will consider whether to make pre-trial meetings a specific Code right for these victims.
In addition, in 2025 the Ministry of Justice published statutory guidance on Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), setting out best practice for supporting victims. ISVAs offer practical and emotional support, such as accompanying victims when giving evidence in court or via live link.
The Department also funds the Witness Service which provides emotional support and practical assistance in court on the day of trial, such as providing information on the court process, providing a visible presence in a court building when trials are listed and (if requested by the witness and agreed by the judge) accompanying them into the courtroom when they give evidence or for the reading of their Victim Personal Statement.
The Ministry of Justice also provides significant funding for victim and witness support services, including community-based domestic abuse and sexual violence services. This is complemented by core funding to Police and Crime Commissioners who commission local services based on assessed need.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to expedite cases involving sexual offences.
Answered by Catherine Atkinson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Government inherited a justice system in crisis with a record and rising number of criminal cases waiting to be heard in the Crown Court. Victims are facing unacceptable delays and without action, the situation will continue to spiral, far beyond the point of recovery.
The reforms being brought forward through the recently introduced Courts and Tribunals Bill are designed to improve timeliness in the Crown Court and speed up justice for all victims, including victims of rape.
The uncapping of Crown Court sitting days in 2026/27 will mean more rape and other sexual offence cases can be heard.
Alongside this, judges will continue to prioritise cases involving vulnerable victims and witnesses, including rape and other sexual offences.
We must continue to support victims until these reforms take effect, and the Deputy Prime Minister has announced investment of £550 million in victim support services over the next three years of this Spending Review period.