Written questions by Bloore.

Media and Sport, how many youth centres were closed in England between 2010 and 2024.

DCMS does not hold the data requested. Local Authorities have a statutory duty to ‘secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people’. This is funded from the Local Government settlement, which is almost £69 billion this year (FY 25/26).This government recognises the value of youth centres and youth services, and has committed to co-producing a new National Youth Strategy. This is an opportunity to move away from one-size-fits all approaches from central government, bringing power back to young people and their communities and rebuilding a thriving and sustainable sector. We plan to publish the strategy in the summer.

Media and Sport, what support her Department plans to provide to football clubs to (a) embed improved governance and (b) meet the requirements of the independent football regulator.

It will be the responsibility of the Independent Football Regulator to determine the key elements of the Football Governance Code, including whether independent directors should be included. The drafting of the Football Governance Code will be done in consultation with the FA and other stakeholders with an interest in safeguarding the long-term future of our national game. It is the norm for all corporate governance codes to have detail and guidance on INED’s included, and we do not expect the Football Governance Code to be any different. The Regulator will publish the Football Governance Code, guidance around this, and an annual report highlighting best practice and where certain clubs are failing to meet the standards. The Regulator will adopt a collaborative approach wherever possible and will meet regularly with clubs to ensure they are meeting the requirements set out by the legislation.

Media and Sport, whether the Football Governance Code will stipulate requirements for independent directors to be included in a club's governance structure.

It will be the responsibility of the Independent Football Regulator to determine the key elements of the Football Governance Code, including whether independent directors should be included. The drafting of the Football Governance Code will be done in consultation with the FA and other stakeholders with an interest in safeguarding the long-term future of our national game. It is the norm for all corporate governance codes to have detail and guidance on INED’s included, and we do not expect the Football Governance Code to be any different. The Regulator will publish the Football Governance Code, guidance around this, and an annual report highlighting best practice and where certain clubs are failing to meet the standards. The Regulator will adopt a collaborative approach wherever possible and will meet regularly with clubs to ensure they are meeting the requirements set out by the legislation.

Media and Sport, whether her Department offers (a) paid time off work and (b) other support to employees who become kinship carers.

We do not have a policy which explicitly covers (a) paid time off work and (b) other support to employees who become kinship carers. Employees are able to take time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant or are able to request other leave, paid and unpaid, as well as annual and flexi leave as required to support them when they become a kinship carer. Employees are also able to request flexible working to support both short term and longer term arrangements.

Media and Sport, whether the Football Governance Code will stipulate requirements for independent directors to be included in a club's governance structure.

It will be the responsibility of the Independent Football Regulator to determine the key elements of the Football Governance Code, including whether independent directors should be included. This will be done in consultation with the FA and other stakeholders with an interest in safeguarding the long-term future of our national game.We recognise that independent directors can greatly improve decision-making and independent scrutiny on corporate governance, however, it will be for the Regulator to determine whether independent directors are included in scope of the Football Governance Code.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the contribution of football clubs to local economies.

Football clubs deliver significant economic benefits to their local economies. Analysis from 2024 showed that the Premier League and its clubs alone support over 90,000 jobs. Football clubs also deliver indirect economic benefits to the local communities they serve, attracting visitors, and bringing increased footfall to the hospitality, retail, and transport sectors.The influence of clubs also extends beyond football, fostering economic growth, social cohesion, and a strong sense of local identity. Clubs often engage in community initiatives, and contribute to civic identity and pride in place. For example, Club Community Organisations in the English Football League (EFL) contribute £63 million to community and social projects each year, and The Premier League Charitable Fund has a three-year budget of around £100 million to support community organisations.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of commissioning a review into event booking fees.

On 10 January, the Government launched a call for evidence on pricing practices in the live events sector, which closes on 4 April 2025.It is important that consumers experience openness and transparency when buying tickets. We are seeking evidence on the impact of current pricing practices on consumers and businesses and whether the current legal framework provides sufficient protection. We encourage responses, including on issues such as booking fees.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to incentivise the building of television and film studios in the (a) regions and (b) West Midlands.

We are already incentivising film and TV production in the UK, with UK-wide funding programmes, infrastructure investment, competitive tax reliefs and direct support for independent British content.The British Film Commission (BFC) is supporting the growth of the UK’s seven geographic production hubs to ensure that the combination of infrastructure, stage space and crew in those locations is set up to attract and accommodate even more major inward investment. Further funding for the BFC for 2025/26 was confirmed at the Autumn Budget.Beyond the seven established hubs, there are many more areas across the UK brimming with potential and ambition which the Government will continue to support. In the West Midlands, Birmingham is becoming a very successful cultural hub enriched by recent investments including the BBC and Netflix at Digbeth Loc Studios. At the Autumn Budget, £25 million was confirmed for the new Crown Works Studio in Sunderland via the North East Combined Mayoral Authority.