Discrimination in Football

Debate between Mims Davies and Martin Docherty-Hughes

Thursday 11th April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mims Davies]

Four goals? Wow! The hon. Gentleman has now set himself up for that. And who would want to be the goalkeeper?

[Martin Docherty-Hughes (West Dunbartonshire) (SNP)]

As a gay Roman Catholic of Irish heritage who grew up in the west of Scotland, I am very much aware of some of the issues the Minister raises. My own local clubs, Clydebank, Yoker Athletic, Dumbarton and the Vale, have challenged the community to think differently over the past 20 years. Can the Minister tell me where we are on disability discrimination? There needs to be more done to challenge football clubs to give disabled fans and disabled footballers more access to the game.

[Mims Davies]

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. The experience of our disabled fans across the country is not equal, not fair and not good enough. The whole House is listening and the UK is watching: football, give everyone a fair experience, particularly our disabled fans.

Communities: Charities and Volunteers

Debate between Mims Davies and Martin Docherty-Hughes

Wednesday 13th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mims Davies]

indicated assent.

[Martin Docherty-Hughes]

I see that the chair of the all-party parliamentary group and the Minister agree. It is a fundamental point that we need to reinforce.

The sector in Scotland has a combined turnover of £5.8 billion. For the record, that is higher than the whisky industry. Some 78% of charities in Scotland are locally based, and four out of five Scots used a third sector organisation last year.