Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Grassroots Sport

Thursday 16 April 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government has committed 400 million over the next four years and 85 million in the current year to support grassroots sport.
  • The Minister met with parkrun representatives to celebrate its 21st anniversary and acknowledged its health and wellbeing benefits.
  • The Minister expressed willingness to work with Ashley Fox to help Sydenham amateur boxing club expand and build a purpose-built gym.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP is seeking information on funding to support participation in grassroots sport activities.

Question

What funding her Department is providing to help improve participation in grassroots sport.

Answer from Stephanie Peacock

The Government believe in the power of grassroots sport. We have committed £400 million over the next four years, and £85 million in this coming year. Of course, Sport England invests £250 million annually through Exchequer and lottery funding.

Answered
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Q2 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
NHS
Context

Parkrun is a global phenomenon celebrating its 21st birthday, hosting over 1,300 events weekly in the UK. The questioner highlights parkrun's benefits for health and well-being.

Question

I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on parkrun. Currently, over 1,300 parkrun events take place across the UK every Saturday morning, including two in my constituency. Given its benefits in terms of health and wellbeing—many of my constituents are NHS couch to 5K graduates—will the Minister please outline what discussions she has had with parkrun to support that excellent initiative?

Answer from Stephanie Peacock

I was pleased to meet representatives of parkrun alongside my hon. Friend a few months ago to mark its 21st anniversary, and I pay tribute to the huge impact it has. Indeed, last year, I joined my hon. Friend for the relaunch of parkwalk, which is a great example of how inclusive parkrun is—of course, it would not be possible without all the volunteers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding discussions with parkrun was not addressed; only a mention of meeting representatives is given.

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Q3 Ashley Fox Con Bridgwater
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Sydenham amateur boxing club in Bridgwater works with young people, teaching discipline and control. The club aims to expand and build a purpose-built gym.

Question

Sydenham amateur boxing club does an incredible job, working with young people in and around Bridgwater. It helps teach not just boxing, but discipline and control. In order to help more young people, it wants to expand and build a purpose-built gym, so will the Minister outline what support is available for grassroots boxing clubs such as Sydenham to help them improve their facilities and help more young people?

Answer from Stephanie Peacock

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question—it was a pleasure to meet him on a different subject earlier this week. I met the all-party parliamentary group on boxing recently. I welcome the points he makes and agree with them, and I am keen to work with him to help deliver that goal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding support for grassroots boxing clubs was not addressed; only a statement of willingness to work together is given.

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