Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on cross-departmental initiatives to reduce venue hire costs for sports foundations delivering Sport England-funded youth outreach programs in local school facilities.

We are absolutely committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity, and recognise the crucial role school facilities play in delivering this.

As part of this Government's commitment to school sport, we have announced nearly £200 million to improve school sport and PE infrastructure. We are working with Sport England to ensure the funding tackles inequalities in access to sport and physical activity.

In addition, the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, announced in June 2025, will better connect schools with National Governing Bodies, local clubs and other providers. The model will build on learning from current and previous initiatives, such as Opening School Facilities, and support schools to make more effective and strategic use of their assets, including facilities.