Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Physical Activity: Lower-income Families

Thursday 18 April 2024 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We have a sport strategy targeting 3.5 million people, including those from low-income backgrounds.
  • Investing around 400 million in grassroots sports facilities nationwide, with 4 million allocated to Newcastle upon Tyne Central for the most deprived neighbourhoods.
  • We regularly engage with the Department for Education, which sits on our taskforce.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Culture, Media & Sport Children & Families
Context

The MP highlighted concerns about low levels of physical activity among lower-income families in Newcastle.

Question

What steps has her Department taken to reduce barriers to physical activity in lower-income families?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

We have a sport strategy targeting 3.5 million people, including those from low-income backgrounds. We are investing around £400 million in grassroots sports facilities nationwide, with £4 million allocated to Newcastle upon Tyne Central specifically for the most deprived neighbourhoods.

Answered
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Q2 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Education
Context

The MP noted that while Newcastle United women have inspired many young girls, there are still significant issues with childhood obesity rates in the area. She asked about meetings between her Department and the Department for Education regarding disadvantaged young people's access to sports.

Question

How frequently does she meet the Department for Education to ensure disadvantaged young people have access to sporting opportunities? What comparison has she made between facilities in state and private schools?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I regularly engage with the Department for Education, which sits on our taskforce. We invest £30 million through the future Lionesses fund for 30 pitches across the country to ensure more women get opportunities in sport. The specific question was about comparing facilities between state and private schools.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Comparison between state and private school facilities not provided

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Q3 Thangam Debbonaire Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP shared her personal experience and highlighted that more than a million girls drop out of sports from puberty onwards. She noted worsening inequality between boys and girls on physical activity, with 22% fewer girls taking part in team sports.

Question

Why are there 860,000 girls missing out on the joy of physical activity despite government commitments?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

We have committed to ensuring more girls and women get involved in sport, including investing £400 million for multi-sport facilities across the country. We are also working with Karen Carney on a women's football review, building pitches for priority access to sport, and prioritising inactive groups like girls.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete actions addressing gender disparity not provided

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