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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the contribution of football clubs to local economies.

Football clubs deliver significant economic benefits to their local economies. Analysis from 2024 showed that the Premier League and its clubs alone support over 90,000 jobs. Football clubs also deliver indirect economic benefits to the local communities they serve, attracting visitors, and bringing increased footfall to the hospitality, retail, and transport sectors.

The influence of clubs also extends beyond football, fostering economic growth, social cohesion, and a strong sense of local identity. Clubs often engage in community initiatives, and contribute to civic identity and pride in place. For example, Club Community Organisations in the English Football League (EFL) contribute £63 million to community and social projects each year, and The Premier League Charitable Fund has a three-year budget of around £100 million to support community organisations.