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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Football Association's aim to achieve equal access to football for girls in 90 per cent of schools by 2028; and what steps they will take to support this.

The Government agrees that every child should have the opportunity to play sport and do regular physical activity. Our mission-led Government puts children and young people at the heart of our priorities. This includes breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child to access high-quality sport and physical activity inside and outside of school, especially those who are less likely to be active.

It is ultimately for individual sports’ national governing bodies to decide on their specific aims and to evaluate progress against these.

The Government is committed to protecting time for physical education in schools. The upcoming expert-led review of the curriculum will ensure that all children can engage with a broad range of subjects, including PE and sport. The Department of Education also works closely with the FA to support schools to increase activity levels.

This Government recognises that grassroots facilities are at the heart of communities up and down the country and is acting to support more people to get active wherever they live through the delivery of the £123 million Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2024/25.