4th Report - Game On: Community and school sport
Select Committee
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
HC 593
20 April 2026
Government response
1st Special Report - Game On: Community and school sport: Government Response · published 26 Jun 2026
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
13
Recommendation
Rejected
We recommend that a statutory duty be placed on local authorities to provide sporting and...
Recommendation
We recommend that a statutory duty be placed on local authorities to provide sporting and leisure facilities in their communities. We further recommend that, as part of the wider increase in spending on sport and recreation, the Government provide councils …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation for a statutory duty on local authorities to provide sporting facilities, stating it is unnecessary and burdensom. It highlights existing commitments of £400 million and Sport England's £250 million investment for facilities, but not tied to the duty.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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20
Recommendation
Rejected
We recommend that the Government legislate to require local authorities and housing associations to remove...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government legislate to require local authorities and housing associations to remove unnecessary “No Ball Games” signs, to make public spaces more usable for children’s play. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59)
Government Response Summary
The government supports the removal of unnecessary 'No Ball Games' signs but rejects legislating to require it, stating this is ultimately a decision for Local Authorities.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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26
Recommendation
Rejected
We recommend that the Government make physical education a core subject within the national curriculum.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government make physical education a core subject within the national curriculum. (Recommendation, Paragraph 76)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects making physical education a core subject, opting instead to focus on improving quality through curriculum reform and targeted support to avoid legislative complexity.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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37
Conclusion
Rejected
Increasing women’s participation in sport depends not only on opportunities to play, but also on...
Conclusion
Increasing women’s participation in sport depends not only on opportunities to play, but also on visibility and representation. Evidence shows that when women’s sport is regularly broadcast, especially on free‑to‑air TV, girls are more likely to feel inspired and motivated …
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Government Response Summary
The government explains that intervening to mandate a dedicated broadcast slot through Article 48 is technically problematic and would not benefit women's football, noting that an independent review did not recommend this approach, effectively rejecting the implied action.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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38
Recommendation
Rejected
We recommend that the Government intervene in discussions between the Premier League, Women’s Professional Leagues...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government intervene in discussions between the Premier League, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, English Football League and Football Association to ensure that women’s football is exempt from the restrictions on broadcasting in the 3pm on Saturday slot. …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation, explaining that Article 48 is an opt-in statute that NGBs can manage without government intervention, and its removal would not benefit women’s football but rather crowd the broadcast schedule further.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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