I am repeating the following Written Ministerial Statement made today in the other place by my Honourable Friend, the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, Stephanie Peacock MP:

Grassroots sport has the power to bring people together, creating a healthier nation and increasing opportunities for communities across the UK.

As part of the Government's Plan for Change, we are committed to supporting the growth of grassroots sport across the UK. We need to ensure that facilities are high quality, inclusive and provide opportunities for everyone to exercise in a safe environment. By investing in grassroots facilities, we will provide communities with social hubs and allow more people to get onto the pitch wherever they live.

We have today published updated lists of 1650 projects funded by the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme across 2024/25. The programme delivers funding for communities across the UK through our delivery partners - the Football Foundation (a charity set up by the Government, The Football Association and the Premier League) in England, the Cymru Football Foundation in Wales, and the FAs in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Projects aim to support activity in deprived areas, increase provision for under-represented groups such as women and girls, with a substantial proportion needing to provide for sports other than football. A full list can be found here and I will deposit a copy of this list in the Libraries of both Houses.

With an additional £98 million of funding to be invested in 2025/26, and as we look forward to UEFA EURO 2028, which will be jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland, and develop our bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035, we will continue to put grassroots clubs and facilities at the front and centre of our ambition to get more people onto the pitch. Delivery partners are in the process of making decisions regarding 2025/26 funded projects, and lists will be further updated in due course.