Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to support community-led regeneration projects in (a) areas facing economic deprivation and (b) other areas in Bury South constituency.
Answered by Jacob Young - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
So far, the £150 million Community Ownership Fund has awarded £71.4 million of funding to 257 projects across the UK. This includes £260k to rebuild the Whitefield Bowling Club in Bury South so it can continue to host the club, serve as a hub and meeting space for community groups and provide much needed community services.
Bury Community Football Club Supporters Society was awarded £1 million in 2021 through the Community Ownership Fund, allowing the stadium to be purchased and brought back into use as a home for Bury FC and as a focal point for community life and events.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking with rail providers to help ensure railway timetables meet the requirements of football supporters on match days.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
I have been clear that the current, sustained poor performance on the railway is unacceptable, and industry needs to make significant improvements to deliver the punctual, reliable services that passengers and taxpayers deserve.
Through the Department’s National Rail Contracts, there is a direct link between punctuality and reliability and the fee operators receive to incentivise improved performance.
My officials and I monitor the situation closely and hold industry to account – I review performance on a weekly basis and hold regular high-level meetings with both Network Rail and representatives from the train operators.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Government grants statistics 2020 to 2021, published on 31 March 2022, what assessment her Department has made on the effectiveness of the Football Supporters Association fans embassies Grant.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
No grant was made in 2020/21 as no overseas England or Wales international matches were played with fans present due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2021/22 the Home Office agreed a grant of £45,900 with the FSA to provide advice and support to reduce the risk of violence and disorder involving England and Wales fans overseas, encourage self-policing, and reduce the risk of fans being a victim of crime. The England and Wales national teams played fewer overseas international matches than usual, and those played prior to October 2021 were without travelling fans in attendance (due to the Covid-19 pandemic) so £17,378 of the agreed amount was claimed.
This grant awards support the Home Office priority to cut crime, protect vulnerable people and communities.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to increase the transparency of football club investigations into fan safety; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of mandating the publication of investigation recommendations such as that regarding the match between Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle United on 7 January 2023.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The safety of spectators at sporting events is of the highest importance to His Majesty’s Government and we will continue to work closely with all relevant authorities to ensure that football fans can continue to enjoy the sport whilst attending matches safely.
Local authorities issue safety certificates for relevant football stadia within their boundaries, and are responsible for local engagement and assessment. Sheffield City Council convened a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting following the concerns raised by Newcastle United supporters who attended the FA Cup third round tie at Hillsborough Stadium on 7th January 2023. The minutes from the SAG meeting have been published and Sheffield City Council have taken action to address the safety concerns that were raised.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has had recent discussions with (a) Sheffield Wednesday FC, (b) Newcastle United FC, (c) Sheffield City Council, (d) the FSA, and (e) the SGSA on the implementation of safety review recommendations at Hillsborough Stadium.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
DCMS has remained in contact with the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) in relation to the concerns that were raised by Newcastle United supporters who attended the FA Cup third round tie at Hillsborough Stadium on 7th January 2023.
Local authorities issue safety certificates for relevant football stadia within their boundaries, and are responsible for local engagement and assessment. Sheffield City Council convened a Safety Advisory Group meeting following the concerns raised by Newcastle United supporters.
The minutes from the Safety Advisory Group meeting have been published and Sheffield City Council have taken action and significantly reduced the capacity in the upper and lower West Stands to address the safety concerns that were raised.
The SGSA were engaged throughout this process and have reported this appropriate response back to DCMS.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to help ensure the English Football League and football club owners are accountable to fans.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We recognise the need for football to be reformed to ensure the game’s long term sustainability. In April 2022, the government responded to the Fan Led Review of Football governance and confirmed support for greater fan engagement.
One of my first meetings as Minister for Sport was with the Football Supporters’ Association to hear their concerns. We will publish a White Paper setting out our detailed response to the Fan Led Review of Football Governance in the next few weeks.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with (a) the FA, (b) Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and (c) the Football Supporters Association on fan safety at Hillsborough Stadium.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Football Association are investigating reports of overcrowding at the Leppings Lane End at Hillsborough Stadium on 7 January 2023. The ultimate responsibility for the safety of spectators lies at all times with the ground management and the SGSA remains in contact with the club, Sheffield City Council and the Safety Advisory Group as the facts are established and any implications for safety management arrangements at Hillsborough are considered. We are in contact with the SGSA on this matter.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to events at the Leppings Lane End at Hillsborough Stadium involving Newcastle United supporters on 7 January 2023, if her Department will take immediate steps with relevant stakeholders to improve fan safety at that stadium.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Football Association are investigating reports of overcrowding at the Leppings Lane End at Hillsborough Stadium on 7 January 2023.
The SGSA has a statutory responsibility for the issuing of licences to sports grounds for designated football matches in England and Wales, under the Football Spectators Act 1989. Grounds that are issued a licence, including Hillsborough Stadium, are all required to meet the same standards in order to safely admit spectators. The SGSA monitors this closely for all grounds that they licence.
The SGSA will remain in contact with the club, Sheffield City Council and the Safety Advisory Group as the facts are established and any implications for safety management arrangements at Hillsborough are considered. We are in contact with the SGSA on this matter.
The safety of spectators at sporting events is of the highest importance to His Majesty’s Government and we will continue to work closely with all relevant authorities to ensure that football fans can continue to enjoy the sport whilst attending matches safely.
Asked by: Lord Pendry (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reduce the restrictions placed on football clubs wishing to upgrade their facilities.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Many clubs choose to upgrade their facilities, or do so to meet league and safety requirements. All facilities for football clubs must meet the requirements prescribed by their league organiser, the relevant football authority, the Sports Ground Safety Authority, the relevant local authority, and legislation. This ensures that facilities, particularly stadia, are appropriate and safe for all. Football clubs may be subject to the same planning restrictions as any other business or community facility.
His Majesty’s Government confirmed in July that Premier League and Championship clubs wishing to introduce licensed ‘safe standing’ areas at football stadia can apply to do so from the beginning of the current season, increasing the range of options football clubs can offer their supporters when considering their facilities.
Asked by: Aaron Bell (Conservative - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer (b) the Cryptoasset Taskforce, (c) the Premier League, (d) Premier League Football Clubs, (e) Premier League Football Club Supporter Associations and (f) the Football Supporters’ Association on the regulation of cryptoassets in sport.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government has noted a growing market of partnerships between sports bodies and crypto asset businesses.
The variety of crypto asset products is wide and evolving. We have always encouraged innovation in sports markets but this must be done with the interests of fans in mind and must be transparent on risks.
My officials have discussed cryptoassets in conversations with the Premier League, the English Football League and the Treasury.
As I stated in the recent Westminster Hall Debate on this issue, the government will continue to monitor the use and promotion of cryptoassets in sport and will factor this into considerations around the wider cryptoasset market and its regulation.