-
Question
In response to the leaked report in The Sun and the concerns raised about Southend United’s financial stability and lack of agreement between the Premier League and EFL on redistribution, will the Minister provide more detail on how he intends to implement these measures?
Minister reply
The regulator will take powers from bodies such as the FA, ensuring they do not have their hands in both pockets. The minister emphasised that owners must be suitable custodians of clubs and provided assurances about fan engagement being a key aspect.
-
Question
Regarding the need to ensure financial stability for all leagues, including grassroots football, does the Minister agree that redistribution of funds is necessary in the short term as well?
Minister reply
While the minister acknowledged the importance of redistribution, he stated that the regulator will have powers to intervene if financial issues arise. The current challenge is about ensuring clubs are financially resilient.
-
Question
As a football fan and supporter of Crewe Alexandra, Graham Evans inquired about how the new regulator would ensure that local fans have a say and influence on their club’s decisions.
Minister reply
The minister confirmed that fan engagement will be a core part of the decision-making process for clubs seeking to change heritage or relocate. He emphasised that this is about placing fans at the heart of governance.
-
Question
In light of the proposed regulatory framework, how will it ensure that clubs have access to funding and support for grassroots football development?
Minister reply
The minister highlighted the Government's commitment to £300 million investment in grassroots multisport facilities by 2025. He stated that ensuring financial resilience at the top tiers is essential to support this lower down the pyramid.
-
Question
Smith acknowledges football's importance but criticises the delay in legislating. He asks about financial sustainability, fan consent on heritage items, and the legislative timeline to ensure that the independent regulator can be operational by 2024-25.
Minister reply
The Minister thanks Smith for his support and acknowledges the complexity of the issue but emphasises progress made despite delays. The regulator will have the necessary powers to address financial issues and ensure fan voice is heard through licensing conditions.
-
Question
Crouch pays tribute to John Motson, thanks the Minister for the White Paper, and asks about the timeframe for its next steps.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges Tracey Crouch's work and emphasises the importance of fan engagement. He commits to a targeted consultation followed by swift implementation when parliamentary time allows.
-
Question
Betts welcomes the White Paper but questions if the regulator will have enough power over financing issues and fair distribution.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees on the importance of addressing financial distribution fairly. He outlines that regulatory powers will be a fallback but emphasises the need for football authorities to reach agreements.
-
Question
Green congratulates the Minister on agreeing with Tracey Crouch and asks about the time given to resolve money distribution issues.
Minister reply
The Minister emphasises the success of the Premier League and urges all parties involved to expedite discussions on financial distribution for clubs across the pyramid.
-
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
I associate myself and my party with the sadness expressed on the passing of John Motson. I am pleased with what has been said today regarding football reform. The hon. Gentleman appeals for everything humanly possible to be done to co-ordinate with Scotland and Wales to make sure there is a universality of approach, because we can learn from each other to get it right.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right as a proud Unionist. We are more than happy to work with our Scottish colleagues if they have lessons on how to deliver sustainable football.
-
Question
The hon. Member welcomes the White Paper, congratulating the Minister and Secretary of State for their work. She especially welcomes the proposal for an independent regulator for English football but asks if the financial powers of the regulator are not just powers of last resort.
Minister reply
It is a privilege to answer questions from my predecessors. The hon. Friend is right about the need for financial support and we have made sure that the provisions will be there if an agreement cannot be reached, but football needs to come up with its own solution quickly.
-
Question
The hon. Member welcomes the White Paper and pays tribute to Tracey Crouch, but he takes issue with the paragraph that says a greater quantum of cash needs to flow through the pyramid. The Premier League’s position is that it should continue with parachute payments which is causing an impasse for fair distribution of resources.
Minister reply
If we had not published this White Paper and if we did not have the intention to introduce an independent regulator, there would be no option for bringing parties together to secure a deal. The regulator will look at the detail of the deal, including parachute payments.
-
Question
The hon. Member welcomes ideas presented as Government policy that many in this House have been advocating for more than a decade. He asks if the regulator will have the power to demand access to real-time financial information from clubs and not just rely on self-reported figures.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The independent regulator needs access to real-time information, which we are considering by learning lessons from other regulators such as the Financial Conduct Authority.
-
Question
The hon. Member welcomes the publication of the White Paper and agrees with Gary Sweet that an independent regulator will provide all clubs with the fairest opportunity to compete through sporting endeavour whilst operating sustainably, with the inclusion of supporters and influence on their communities.
Minister reply
I can assure her that there will be formal recognition of the supporters in any shadow regulator or regulator. One of the four thresholds for securing a licence to compete within English football will be fan interest.
-
Question
The hon. Member highlights the importance of football to communities and raises concerns about the speed with which football wealth will flow down to the lower leagues, but also asks if the Minister envisages sustainability being part of the regulator’s work.
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. The independent regulator will primarily be focused on financial stability, but I assure her that issues such as sustainability will be raised.
-
Question
The hon. Member asks how the Minister will ensure funding gets down to the real grassroots, not just to the lower leagues.
Minister reply
I assure the hon. Lady that for me grassroots football is really important. We have committed nearly £300 million for the provision of grassroots sports facilities and we will continue to work with Premier League and EFL across sport.
-
Question
The hon. Member notes that fans in South Ribble will welcome regulatory proposals to prevent a travesty such as the European super league happening again, but also asks what this review has to say about women’s football.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to raise an important issue and we have set up an independent review of women’s football. We can all celebrate the wonderful expansion in popularity since Lionesses’ success.
-
Question
The hon. Member declares his interest as honorary vice-president of Hayes & Yeading United FC and asks if we will look at other criteria as to sources of wealth, in particular state funds and individuals associated with regimes that have records of human rights abuses.
Minister reply
We are going to look at all these issues in preparation for the legislation and we will look at the issue he mentions as part of the consultation following the publication of the White Paper.
-
Question
The hon. Member welcomes news on an independent football regulator and asks for assurance that it will have sufficient powers to deal with regulatory breaches and strengthen those ownership tests.
Minister reply
Absolutely, we will make sure that the independent regulator is backed by legislation to ensure it has the sanctions needed so that it can do its important work.
-
Question
I thank the Minister for his statement and very much welcome the publication of the White Paper and the strategy that has been outlined. Amateur leagues in Northern Ireland are thriving, with people encouraged to train, play and attain physical fitness. How can we ensure that all levels of football can be enhanced through the application of this report’s findings? What will his Department do to help smaller and amateur leagues because it is important that they are part of this process?
Minister reply
I have mentioned in Westminster Hall debates that amateur clubs are incredibly important, doing so much good work in communities. Supporting them will be crucial and they will feature heavily in the sports strategy we develop soon.
-
Question
Football would be nothing without fans; I am pleased that the Government are putting them at the heart of football governance. The White Paper is world-leading, and while supporting ongoing issues at West Bromwich Albion, will he meet fan groups championed by me?
Minister reply
First meetings as Minister were with fans to hear their voice loud and clear; through this White Paper, their voices will be heard by the regulator.
-
Question
As chair of the all-party group on football supporters, I welcome the White Paper but it is long-awaited. Will he commit to setting up a shadow regulator that would do some scoping work before establishing a proper independent football regulator?
Minister reply
I am glad the hon. Gentleman referred to Kevin Miles and all those at the FSA; they were the group I was talking about in previous minutes.
-
Question
Worksop Town, Retford United, and Notts County are examples of clubs that have experienced financial difficulties, poor ownership, and failed takeovers. Can the Minister reassure us that the independent regulator will put right many issues that football authorities got wrong over the years?
Minister reply
I know some within football are critical today but they had their chance to sort out these problems; we will step in and sort them out due to difficulties fans have experienced.
-
Question
Will the strengthened owners and directors test overseen by the independent regulator take into account human rights violations, and will it properly assess ownership and bids that are likely to be connected to state ownership?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady raises an important point; while this is not about foreign policy, we will ensure who owns the club and conduct a vigorous fit and proper person test.
-
Question
Southend United football club’s heart is on life support, but the Shrimpers Trust, ShrimperZone, and The Blue Voice have kept it going. Will the Minister confirm that strengthened owners and directors tests in the White Paper will mean Southend’s situation will never be repeated?
Minister reply
I congratulate my hon. Friend and pay tribute to her for her work on behalf of her constituents; an independent regulator will monitor situations at an earlier stage so that there can be intervention if necessary.
-
Question
I welcome the White Paper’s focus on a sustainable and competitive game, but introducing new regulation should be the last resort. Given the focus on fans, will my right hon. Friend consider proposals to allow non-league clubs that took out sport survival loans to convert those loans into equity gifted to supporters’ trusts? Will he meet me to discuss these proposals?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right; meetings are crucial here and while I am not able to make spending commitments, I am happy to meet him to discuss his proposal.