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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that girls have equal access to football in schools.

The Government is absolutely committed to supporting girls’ sport at every opportunity including pushing for greater participation. The Government is looking forward to hosting the rescheduled women’s UEFA European Championships in 2022. The tournament's National Promotion Programme will help to deliver on the Football Association’s commitment to ensure equal access for all girls to play football in school and clubs.

Other activities to inspire more women and girls to take up the sport include signposting to women’s and girls’ participation opportunities, a pre-tournament nation-wide ‘activity’ challenge for all ages and backgrounds and a pre-tournament host city Roadshow. In addition, as part of the Spending Review, £205 million of funding for grassroots football and multi-sport facilities was announced, which will help to contribute to ensuring girls across the country have the football facilities they need in their community, including in schools.