Game On: Community and school sport

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 28 Nov 2024 Parliament page
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is to examine the health of sport in local communities and schools and whether more can be done to sustain and grow sporting opportunities for all. The inquiry will look at the funding available for sport in the community, how volunteers can be better … Read more
33 Recommendations
16 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
26 Jun
2026
Report published
3 Jun
2026
Correspondence
20 Apr
2026
Report published
16 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
8 Jul
2025
Correspondence
1 Jul
2025
Correspondence
17 Jun
2025
Correspondence
17 Jun
2025
Correspondence
3 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
22 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
25 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
25 Feb
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
16 Jul 2025
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Adam Conant · Department for Culture, Media and Sport Catherine McKinnell MP · Department for Education Matthew Hopkinson · Department for Education Stephanie Peacock MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
3 Jun 2025
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Councillor Peter Mason · Local Government Association Huw Edwards · UKactive Robert Sullivan · Football Foundation Tim Hollingsworth OBE · Sport England
22 Apr 2025
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Jon Cockcroft · Bowls England Jordan Letts · Northampton Saints Foundation Kate Stephens · Chance to Shine Paige Cronje · SportCheer England Scott Lloyd · Lawn Tennis Association Stewart Kellett · Basketball England
25 Mar 2025
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Andy Taylor · Active Partnerships Anna Scott-Marshall · ParalympicsGB Emily Robinson · London Sport Lisa Wainwright MBE · Sport and Recreation Alliance Mark Lawrie · StreetGames Sarah Kaye · Sported Stephanie Hilborne OBE · Women in Sport
25 Feb 2025
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Ali Oliver MBE · Youth Sport Trust Alistair Patrick-Heselton Anna Hopkin MBE Montell Douglas
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - Game On: Community and school sport HC 593 20 Apr 2026 49 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
16 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report - Game On: Community an…
We are concerned about Sport England losing its function as a Statutory Planning Consultee.
We are concerned about Sport England losing its function as a Statutory Planning Consultee. Given the vital importance of playing fields to grassroots sport, Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport should be arguing strongly for the protection … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges concerns about Sport England's statutory consultee status, stating no decision will be made until feedback on consultation proposals has been fully reviewed. A government response will follow, and Sport England will continue to engage in the planning process regardless.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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17 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report - Game On: Community an…
We recommend that the Government retain Sport England as a Statutory Planning Consultee.
We recommend that the Government retain Sport England as a Statutory Planning Consultee. For its part, Sport England needs to redouble its efforts to turn its responses around swiftly. (Recommendation, Paragraph 52)
Government Response
The government defers a decision on retaining Sport England as a Statutory Planning Consultee, pending a review of consultation feedback, and notes Sport England's commitment to swift responses, already meeting 99% within 21 days.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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18 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report - Game On: Community an…
We recommend that any future planning reforms include a robust and enforceable mechanism to protect...
We recommend that any future planning reforms include a robust and enforceable mechanism to protect playing fields and sports facilities, safeguarding these vital community assets for future generations. (Recommendation, Paragraph 53)
Government Response
The government highlights existing protections in the National Planning Policy Framework and states they consulted on further changes to safeguard open spaces, with a response to be published in due course.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Government Response AI assessment · 49 of 33 classified
Accepted 29
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 5
Total 33 recs + 16 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
3 Jun 2026 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, relating to PE and School Sport Partnerships, 22 May 2026
Parliament page
8 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from Huw Edwards, Chief Executive, ukactive, regarding oral evidence follow-up, dated 26 June 2025
Parliament page
1 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive, Sport England, regarding oral evidence follow-up, dated 25 June 2025
Parliament page
17 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive, Football Foundation, regarding oral evidence follow-up , dated 5 June 2025
Parliament page
17 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, regarding the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, dated 9 June 2025
Parliament page