Committee publication · Correspondence · 10 February 2026
Letter from the Chair to Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, regarding funding of Physical Education in schools, 29 January 2026
From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Inquiry: The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Summary
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee Chair writes to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport following Guardian reports of government disagreement over school sports funding. The letter seeks clarification on whether the Department of Health and Social Care plans to withdraw funding, confirmation of future PE funding levels, and detail on any shortfalls or budget trade-offs within DCMS.
Key findings
- Guardian reports suggest disagreement within government over school sports funding, specifically potential DHSC withdrawal of contributions
- Committee inquiry 'Game on: Community and School Sport' found pupils participating in sport achieve 10–20% higher GCSE results than non-participants
- Questions raised about DHSC funding continuation, DfE spending cuts on PE, and potential DCMS budget reallocation to cover shortfalls
- Letter requests response by 6 February 2026 and asks for departmental rationale if withdrawal plans are confirmed
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Lisa Nandy MP, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Education
Notable line
“… pupils who participate in sport and physical activity achieve, on average, 10–20% higher GCSE results than their peers.”
Key Quotes
“Physical activity is a driver of educational success.”
“… pupils who participate in sport and physical activity achieve, on average, 10–20% higher GCSE results than their peers.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗