Sport (Child Poverty Reduction)

Part of Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 26 November 2025.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Humza Yousaf Humza Yousaf Scottish National Party

I thank the Minister for that comprehensive response and I hope that she will also join me in congratulating the efforts of Pollok United, which offers an outstanding range of community services, including the extra time programme, which was mentioned by the minister, parent and toddler groups and groups for older people, in addition to its multiple football sessions for young people in my Constituency. At the heart of its efforts is its desire to make its community thrive and be a place that is prosperous and inclusive for all.

What concrete action is being taken to support Pollok United and similar sporting organisations to maintain and expand their vital community efforts, particularly in challenging financial circumstances?

Question Time

Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.

minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.

constituency

In a general election, each Constituency chooses an MP to represent them. MPs have a responsibility to represnt the views of the Constituency in the House of Commons. There are 650 Constituencies, and thus 650 MPs. A citizen of a Constituency is known as a Constituent