Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the contribution of grassroots boxing clubs to community cohesion.

The Government recognises the transformative role that grassroots boxing clubs play in supporting the nation’s mental health and wellbeing. Our 'Team Up' campaign, which was designed to bolster the resilience and mental health of communities nationwide, also brought to attention the significant role boxing plays in supporting these vital areas for young men.

Boxing clubs provide pastoral and educational support to young people and adults in need, and also help to promote social inclusion, tackle criminal activity and antisocial behaviour, and deliver improvements in physical and mental wellbeing.

Through Sport England, England boxing will receive over £9 million of funding through the period 2022 - 2029. 75% of affiliated English Boxing clubs are located in deprived, urban neighborhoods, serving marginalised communities identified by Sport England as key target groups for increasing sports participation. These clubs operate at low cost, promoting community cohesion, and are often available where other sports are not.

I recently met with the APPG for Boxing and members of the sector to discuss the positive impacts of boxing on participants and how the Government can support grassroots boxing.