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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department will take to help support people who have developed neurodivergent conditions due to heading the ball in football.

The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely paramount. National Governing Bodies are responsible for the regulation of their sports, and they and player associations play a valuable role in supporting players’ welfare.

The DCMS Secretary of State and I recently met with a small group of affected ex-footballers and family members, including individuals associated with Football Families for Justice, to discuss player safety and welfare for those suffering from dementia. We are committed to looking further at the issues raised and supporting the families and football authorities to come together to address the lifelong consequences from concussion, as well as post-career mental health and financial crises. We will set out next steps in due course.