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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of wheelchair accessibility in sports grounds; and whether her Department has plans to improve disabled access to sports facilities.

The Government recognises there are barriers which exist and prevent some people from participating in sport and physical activity, including access to sports grounds and facilities. We want to remain at the forefront of equality and continue to do all that we can to tackle these.

We work closely with our arm’s length bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, and sector partners to encourage sport bodies to make sport and facilities more accessible. Sport England is developing a new plan called ‘Accessible and Inclusive Sports Facilities’ that will be published this year.

The Government expects all sports and all clubs to take the necessary action to fulfil their legal obligation under the Equality Act of 2010 to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage when accessing sports venues. With the support of Level Playing Field, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) developed the Accessible Stadia document and Accessible Stadia Supplementary Guidance as a benchmark of good practice for new and existing sports grounds. It offers practical, clear solutions that will help deliver high-quality grounds with facilities and services that are accessible, inclusive and welcoming for all.