Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Sport: Women and Girls

Thursday 11 January 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government investing 600 million to boost equal access to sport for women and girls
  • 30 million Lionesses Futures Fund announced to deliver 30 pitches across the country with priority access for women and girls
  • Government supports This Girl Can campaign and School Games programme to encourage women, girls, and children to participate in all sports

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Jones Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question arises from the need for equal access to sports for women and girls as highlighted in Karen Carney's report.

Question

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.

Answer from Lucy Frazer

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.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Jones Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The success of women's football, including Harrogate's Rachel Daly, has prompted a question about supporting other sports with smaller followings.

Question

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?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

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Q3 Thangam Debbonaire Lab
Culture, Media & Sport Women & Equalities
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

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Q4 Thangam Debbonaire Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The government's failure to provide details about the implementation group for the Carney review recommendations is causing concern.

Question

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?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

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