Asked by: Robert Halfon (Conservative - Harlow)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to issue guidance on the conduct of (a) professional and (b) recreational darts during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active. The Government has made it clear that it will adopt a phased approach based on scientific and medical advice, and that the primary goal is to protect public health.
The Government has published guidance on GOV.UK allowing the phased return of sport and recreation activities in line with the latest medical guidance. The Government does not plan to publish sport-specific guidance. It is for the national governing bodies of sports to publish relevant guidance in accordance with the latest government guidance.
Asked by: Robert Halfon (Conservative - Harlow)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether darts games are exempted from the covid-19 social distancing rule of six.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Organised sporting or licensed physical activity are allowed to continue in groups of more than six. This can be in any public place not under other public health restrictions
These activities either need to be organised by a national governing body, club, registered instructor/coach, business or charity; and/or involve someone who has received an official license to use equipment relevant to the activity. In all cases, the organiser must conduct a risk assessment and ensure compliance with COVID-19 Secure guidance.
Each darts club should follow Covid guidance developed by the National Governing Body, the England Darts Organisation to ensure a safe return to play.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent meetings he has had with representatives of darts organisations; and what the outcome was of those meetings.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
I am having regular discussions with sector and industry bodies to understand the full impact of COVID-19 on sport and how the government can best provide support. This includes a fortnightly meeting with sporting organisations including national governing bodies.
Asked by: Lord Porter of Spalding (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cultural and educational value of the sport of dart playing.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
Government's strategy Sporting Future is clear that everyone should have the opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity and to enjoy the benefits that this brings.
Many sports, including darts, have a huge potential to deliver a range of positive outcomes including physical and mental wellbeing as well as individual and community development.
The most recently published Active Lives survey shows that 8,800 people in England regularly play darts.
Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what financial support is being provided by her Department to (a) grassroots darts clubs and (b) disabled grassroots darts clubs.
Answered by Tracey Crouch
Government's Sporting Future strategy is clear that we want more people to get active and to enjoy the many benefits that sport and physical activity bring.
Since 2010, Government has not made any specific investments in darts clubs. However, during this time Sport England has invested £3,594,300 in 68 projects which include darts as one of the activities it offers to the local community. This includes £267,595 invested in five multi-sports projects which include darts and have a specific focus on disability.
Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding her Department has provided for the promotion and development of darts in each year since 2010.
Answered by Tracey Crouch
The Government's strategy Sporting Future sets out that we want more people to engage in sport and physical activity and to enjoy the benefits that this brings.
The recently published Active Lives survey shows that 7,400 people in England regularly play darts.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what subscriptions to (a) magazines and (b) television channels his Department funds.
Answered by Kris Hopkins
The Department subscribes to Swets Information Services Ltd and Jones Yarrell Leadenhall Ltd for our newspapers and magazines.
The Department spent £113,308 on newspapers, periodicals and magazines in 2009-10; this was reduced by 78% to £24,879 in 2013-14 and we are taking further steps to reduce administrative spending across the board.
On television channels, we do not currently subscribe to any channels. By contrast, the Department under the last administration spent £5,549 on premium Sky channels, which included television for the (now closed) Darts Bar.