English Football: Financial Sustainability and Governance
Olivia Bailey Excerpts(3 weeks, 1 day ago)
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Olivia Bailey (Reading West and Mid Berkshire) (Lab)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Turner. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Earley and Woodley (Yuan Yang) on securing this important debate. I echo her remarks about the betrayal of Reading FC by its owners and the importance of the club to families across Reading and Berkshire.
Although the home of the Royals now sits in my hon. Friend�s constituency, for more than 100 years of Reading FC�s long and proud history it was at Elm Park, just outside the boundary of Reading West and Mid Berkshire. It had a large open terrace at the western edge of the ground called the Tilehurst end, named after Tilehurst in my constituency. The passion and loyalty that supporters of the club show in my constituency are illustrated by the long queues of fans waiting to catch a bus to the stadium on a match day.
The only rivals Reading FC players and fans should be battling against are our friends in Oxford and Swindon. Unfortunately, the club has had to battle against the very person who should be its greatest supporter: its owner. I will not repeat what my hon. Friend said, as she explained the situation clearly, but I will say that she is a wonderful champion of Reading FC, along with other colleagues. I thank the supporters� groups, STAR�Supporters Trust at Reading�and Sell Before We Dai, who have been tireless campaigners, alongside all other loyal fans who have stood alongside their club.
None of that had to happen. It could have been prevented if Dai Yongge had acted in the interests of his club and if we had had proper regulation of the football industry and proper protection for clubs such as Reading. That is why I echo my hon. Friend�s call for a comprehensive inquiry and why I am so supportive of the Government�s Football Governance Bill, which will establish an independent football regulator.
Oral Answers to Questions
Olivia Bailey Excerpts(2 months, 1 week ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lisa Nandy
I add my voice to the support for Jimmy’s family. The shadow Secretary of State raises that matter in a particularly sensitive way, and I would be happy to consider it with him.
Olivia Bailey (Reading West and Mid Berkshire) (Lab)
Chris Bryant
Yes, I congratulate the church. I know that lots of people are interested in the future of the fund. The best way of describing how the Department is approaching that is to quote a hymn:
“God is working this purpose out,
As year succeeds to year…
Nearer and nearer draws the time,
The time that shall surely be”
when we announce.
Oral Answers to Questions
Olivia Bailey Excerpts(5 months, 1 week ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mr Speaker
Order. We are going to have to get through the questions more quickly. We do not have much time.
Olivia Bailey (Reading West and Mid Berkshire) (Lab)
Chris Bryant
It is great to see my hon. Friend here. First, we want to ensure that more international movies and blockbusters are made in the UK, and we want to increase investment. With more sound stages, we should be able to challenge Hollywood. I also want to ensure that every single child in this country can consider a career in the creative industries, whatever background they come from.