Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the number of pupils in local authority maintained schools playing cricket each week in each year since 2010.

The Department does not routinely collect data on which sports schools offer and how much they are spending to deliver them during physical education (PE) lessons and extracurricular time.

Schools can organise and deliver a diverse and challenging PE and school sport offer which best suits the needs of their pupils. Factors influencing that decision include the spaces available for sports, along with available equipment.

Where schools want to provide specific sports, they can draw on support from the relevant national governing body. The England and Wales Cricket Board offer a wide range of resources and age appropriate guidance and advice for delivering cricket in schools.

On 8 March 2023, the Department announced over £600 million across the next two academic years for the Primary PE and Sport Premium, and £57 million up to March 2025 for the Opening School Facilities programme. Schools can use this funding to increase provision and raise the quality of sports such as cricket.