Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Sports Facilities

Thursday 15 January 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mary Kelly Foy raised concerns about Durham United football club lacking a permanent ground despite Sport England's investment and support for grassroots clubs.
  • Sarah Dyke highlighted plans for enhancing local recreation grounds, noting the economic benefits of reducing physical inactivity.
  • Mr Louie French questioned the Government's plan to remove Sport England as a statutory consultee in planning decisions, with the Minister responding that the Government is investing 400 million in grassroots sport.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Kelly Foy Lab City of Durham
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Durham United football club started playing in the northern league but lacks a permanent ground. Local authorities struggle to maintain pitches, impacting access to high-quality facilities despite increased participation.

Question

Durham United football club kicked off this season in the northern league. It is the first time in decades that the city has had a men’s team playing at this level, yet they do not have a permanent ground. At the same time, local authorities are finding it harder and harder to maintain their playing pitch stock to a reasonable standard, meaning that high-quality pitches are harder to access despite more football being played than ever. What can the Minister do to encourage local authorities to transfer these assets into the hands of well-established grassroots clubs, such as Durham United, to give them security and access to larger grants, thereby improving the maintenance of these vital community assets?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that important point. Sport England invests over £250 million of Exchequer and lottery funding each year, and offers guidance and support to grassroots clubs looking to take control of their local sports pitches through its community asset transfer toolkit, which it is currently updating. I would be very happy to set up a meeting for my hon. Friend with Sport England, which can offer further advice if that is helpful.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific commitments or actions beyond offering to arrange a meeting with Sport England.

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Q2 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Local Government Environment
Context

A parish council in Glastonbury and Somerton is planning to add a running track, multi-use games area, and outdoor gym to their recreation ground. Despite securing some funding, they are struggling to find additional funds needed for the project.

Question

I recently met Abbas and Templecombe parish councillors to discuss their exciting plans to add a 400-metre running track, a multi-use games area and an outdoor adult gym to the local recreation ground. Given that physical inactivity costs the UK over £7 billion a year, such improvements are welcome, particularly in rural areas. However, despite securing some of the funding, the parish council is struggling to find the additional funds it needs to get the project off the ground. What steps is the Minister taking to help rural, parish and town councils improve their sports and leisure facilities?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)

The hon. Lady is a strong advocate for her constituency, and she makes a very important argument. As I have outlined, the Government are investing £400 million in grassroots facilities. We are also working with the sports sector and local leaders to understand the demands of each community, and I would be happy to discuss that further with her.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific steps or programs but mentioned ongoing efforts to invest in grassroots facilities.

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Q3 Louie French Con Old Bexley and Sidcup
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Labour Government has proposed removing Sport England as a statutory consultee in planning decisions, raising concerns about the future of playing fields.

Question

This Labour Government have announced that they intend to remove Sport England—alongside the Gardens Trust and the Theatres Trust—as a statutory consultee in planning decisions, putting playing fields across the country at risk. The Conservatives oppose this move. Can the Minister explain how first scrapping the £57 million opening school facilities fund and now allowing developers to concrete over playing fields will increase access to sports facilities?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)

As I outlined, this Government are putting their money where their mouth is. We have announced £400 million investment in grassroots sport. I have discussed this issue with the Planning Minister and I have heard the points he has made.

Not addressed: The Minister did not address how scrapping Sport England's role in planning decisions would increase access to sports facilities or explain the £57 million opening school facilities fund cut.

How: Discussed With Planning Minister

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