Grassroots Football Funding: Wembley Stadium Debate
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Philip Hollobone
Main Page: Philip Hollobone (Conservative - Kettering)Department Debates - View all Philip Hollobone's debates with the HM Treasury
Grassroots Football Funding: Wembley Stadium
Philip Hollobone Excerpts(5 years, 10 months ago)
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Mr Philip Hollobone (in the Chair)
Order. Would those who are inexplicably not staying for the next debate about Wembley Stadium please be courteous enough to leave quickly and quietly?
Mr Philip Hollobone (in the Chair)
The debate can last until 4.30. The hon. Member is standing.
Mr Philip Hollobone (in the Chair)
Thank you. We now move on to the very sporty Sports Minister for her to respond.
Mims Davies
I thank my hon. Friend for that point. In asking me to do this role, the Prime Minister—[Interruption.]
Mr Philip Hollobone (in the Chair)
Order. I am so sorry to interrupt the Minister, but a Division has been called in the House. I understand that there may be more than one. If there is one, we will return in 15 minutes. If there is more than one, we will return 10 minutes after the last Division is called.
Mr Philip Hollobone (in the Chair)
The sitting is resumed. The finish time will be 5.41 pm and the Minister has eight minutes left.
Mims Davies
As I was saying, before we were interrupted to do our absolute duty, we must and we will provide playing opportunities, to be enjoyed by people now and by future generations, across our towns and cities. I want clarity for grassroots football and balanced provision of local assets, as well as a good pathway for our next generation of stars.
The figures appear to suggest that the grassroots are somewhat underfunded compared with the investment going into professional clubs, but the professional game rightly cares about the grassroots, as demonstrated by the funding it provides. As the Minister for Sport, however, I will always champion the grassroots and focus on them, examining the commitment given to them and providing challenge.
The Premier League is investing £100 million each year into football participation programmes and local facilities. That is a significant amount and is in addition to the other areas that it funds and supports in football, at all levels of the game, including vital payments to the English Football League and national league clubs.