PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Football (2 June 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has taken to ensure that (a) local communities and (b) grassroots football benefit from the return of (i) Premier League and (ii) Championship football.

Asked by:
Sir John Hayes (Conservative)

The Government has been liaising closely with the football authorities as their plans to restart the season have developed. In all discussions with them, Ministers have strongly encouraged them to ensure that finances from the game's resumption support the wider football family, and avoid the net loss of significant sums of money.

The Premier League, alongside the Government and the FA, routinely invest significantly in grassroots sport through the Football Foundation. This three-way partnership sees a combined £70m go to new community facilities each year.

We will continue to press the football authorities to ensure the whole football pyramid is looked after.

Answered by:
Nigel Huddleston (Conservative)
10 June 2020