Sport (Women)

Oral Answers to Questions — Culture, Media and Sport – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 19 December 2005.

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Photo of Richard Caborn Richard Caborn Minister of State (Sport), Department for Culture, Media & Sport

The Department is committed to its public service agreement target of increasing the number of women participating in sport by 3 per cent. by 2008. We are implementing a range of measures to achieve that objective.

Photo of Sandra Gidley Sandra Gidley Women & Older People, Non-Departmental & Cross Departmental Responsibilities

Does the Minister agree that role models are all-important? He will be aware that of the just more than £6 million given in athlete personal awards last year, £3.8 million was given to men, but only £2.3 million to women. What is he doing to address that inequality and to increase the participation of women at other levels to feed into the highest level of sport?

Photo of Richard Caborn Richard Caborn Minister of State (Sport), Department for Culture, Media & Sport

I do not recall the figures that the hon. Lady has given, but I can tell her that we have an equity agreement with all the governing bodies, which is observed by UK Sport and Sport England. I believe that 44 per cent. of scholarships went to women during the last round of awards under the talented athlete scholarship scheme. As for world-class performance, it will depend on the position held in the world-class rankings by the Paralympic and Olympic teams and, indeed, by others in the elite. There is an agreement between the governing bodies on that. I accept that more can be done to encourage females to participate in sport, but I think that that is being achieved by many of the initiatives launched by the governing bodies, Sport England and UK Sport.

There has been a massive increase—of some 53 per cent.—in the number of women taking part in football over the past three or four years following an investment of some £3 million by the Football Foundation in coaching of women and girls, and a major increase in investment by the active sports body, which is Sport England—[Interruption.] I do not know what the hon. Lady is saying from a sedentary position, but across the spectrum we have moved the agenda forward dramatically.

Photo of Vera Baird Vera Baird PPS (Rt Hon Charles Clarke, Secretary of State), Home Office

Has my hon. Friend had a chance to consider the impact on women in sport of public authorities' duty to promote gender equality, which will come into force when the Equality Bill is enacted? I am thinking particularly of schools. The Women's Sports Foundation has found that some single-sex classes, especially swimming classes, are being stopped because of fears that they do not comply with equality legislation. Participation in sport remains low among women and girls despite our best efforts, although it is increasing, and single-sex classes and teams are an important tool for the encouragement of such participation. Will my hon. Friend ensure that good guidance is available when that gender duty comes onstream, so that the distinction is drawn between equality and treating everyone in the same way?

Photo of Richard Caborn Richard Caborn Minister of State (Sport), Department for Culture, Media & Sport

My hon. and learned Friend has asked an important question, to which I give an emphatic "Yes". The position will be monitored, and we will report to the House.

Photo of Andrew MacKinlay Andrew MacKinlay Labour, Thurrock

Next time he speaks to the appropriate football authorities, will the Minister raise with them the issue of the international competitions in which our teams are involved? In some countries, women cannot attend and watch football matches. Are we not acquiescing, by our silence, in gender discrimination? We are supporting lucrative sports from which women spectators are excluded. I am thinking particularly of the exclusion of women from international football matches in Iran.

Photo of Richard Caborn Richard Caborn Minister of State (Sport), Department for Culture, Media & Sport

That stretches a question about women's participation in sport in England, but having just returned from Saudi Arabia I understand what my hon. Friend means. I attended a graduation ceremony where four females received graduate awards from Loughborough and Manchester universities. That was a major step in the right direction. I hope that the process will continue in Saudi Arabia and will eventually reach Iran, because I agree with my hon. Friend that everyone should be able to enjoy sport, including football.