Culture, Media and Sport – in the House of Commons at on 17 October 2024.
Louise Jones
Labour, North East Derbyshire
What steps she is taking to support multi-sport grassroots facilities.
Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
This Government are committed to providing high-quality, inclusive facilities that provide opportunities for everyone to get active and healthier. That is why we are investing £123 million across the UK in our multi-sport grassroots facilities programme.
Louise Jones
Labour, North East Derbyshire
Access to those facilities is vital for mental health and community cohesion, no more so than in the small towns and villages that make up my Constituency. Does the Minister agree that even in places like that we must have equal access to such facilities?
Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. I was pleased to visit her Constituency a few months ago; I represent a similar area, with a collection of towns and villages. Wherever communities are, across the country, we want to ensure they have access to local facilities. It is so important to get people active, particularly for mental health and wellbeing.
Caroline Dinenage
Chair, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Chair, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
The Minister will know that grassroots sports venues play a key role in improving the nation’s health. The UK will host the T20 women’s world cup in 2026, and cricket will join the Olympic family of sports in 2028. The previous Government committed a £35 million investment into 16 grassroots cricket hubs and cricket domes. Will the Minister commit this Government to fulfilling that promise?
Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
I am grateful to the Chair of the Select Committee for her important question. I was pleased to meet the England and Wales Cricket Board a few weeks ago, and I will be doing a visit with its representatives in my own Constituency tomorrow. We absolutely see the benefit of cricket and, indeed, all sports across the country, but I am obviously not in a position to make spending commitments ahead of the spending review.
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Lindsay Hoyle
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