Access to Sport Women and Girls 2024-01-11
2024-01-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need for equal access to sports for women and girls as highlighted in Karen Carney's report.
What progress has been made on increasing women and girls' access to sport? I am concerned about ensuring that they have exactly the same opportunities as boys and men. The government supported Karen Carney's excellent recommendations, but I want to know more about the £600 million investment for equal access and the £30 million Lionesses Futures Fund announced recently.
Women and girls should have exactly the same access to sport as boys and men. We are investing £600 million to boost equal access to sport, and recently announced £30 million for the Lionesses Futures Fund to deliver 30 pitches across the country with priority access for women and girls, with further opportunities for 8,000 women and girls.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The success of women's football, including Harrogate's Rachel Daly, has prompted a question about supporting other sports with smaller followings.
We have had fantastic success with women's football, particularly the Lionesses, including Harrogate's Rachel Daly, who has been a great inspiration locally. What steps is my right hon. and learned Friend taking to ensure that sports with a smaller following can sustain a competitive grassroots environment for girls?
We support sport at every level. Sport England's This Girl Can campaign, funded by the Government, inspires millions of women and girls to get involved in all sports. The School Games programme, also funded by the Government, encourages children to take up sport and get active.
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Assessment & feedback
The question was about smaller following sports but the answer only addressed general campaigns for all sports without specifics on how smaller sports are supported.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
There has been a recent spate of sexist and misogynistic abuse directed at sportswomen, with the Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport receiving such abuse.
Recently there have been disgusting sexist and misogynistic abuses towards sportswomen just for being successful. I agree that vile comments are dangerous as they put women and girls off from participating in sports. Does the Secretary of State agree that every sporting organisation should have a strategy to eliminate all forms of sexual harassment and abuse?
We should not have misogynistic, bullying behaviour in sport. All governing bodies should look at what their sports are doing. We set out in our sports strategy how we should have fair competition and integrity in sport.
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Assessment & feedback
The question was about a specific strategy to eliminate sexual harassment and abuse but the answer only acknowledged the need for fair competition and integrity without specifying what actions are being taken or will be taken.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The government's failure to provide details about the implementation group for the Carney review recommendations is causing concern.
The Secretary of State mentioned the Carney review, but there has been a lack of detail on how the implementation group will work. Without senior leadership, the group will not have the necessary authority. Fans, players and clubs deserve urgent action and leadership from the top. Will she commit to chairing the implementation group, and reporting back to Parliament so that MPs can hold her to account?
I completely dispute what the hon. Member says about our support for women in sport, and women in football. I have had the pleasure of meeting Karen Carney on a number of occasions. Her report is excellent. We endorse all its recommendations, many of which are for the FA, with whom I have spoken on this subject. I will ensure that the recommendations are fulfilled. The implementation board will include all governing bodies and its first meeting is in March.
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Assessment & feedback
The question was about a commitment to chair the group but the answer only states that she disputes negative claims without committing to chairing or reporting back.
Response accuracy