Written questions by Morello.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has held discussions with the Rugby Football Union on expanding rugby provision in areas with low levels of sports participation.

Awaiting answer.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase participation in grassroots rugby from minority groups.

Awaiting answer.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase participation in grassroots rugby in disadvantaged communities.

Awaiting answer.

Media and Sport, whether the Government has provided support to the Rugby Football Union to establish new rugby clubs in disadvantaged areas.

Awaiting answer.

Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to discuss with EU Member States simplified visas for touring artists, including from West Dorset constituency.

This government recognises the impact that visa rules in Europe can have on artists and performers whose work spans multiple countries in quick succession. As your constituents in West Dorset will be aware, these arrangements arise from the UK and EU operating separate immigration systems, and the application of the 90/180-day rule is set at EU level. There is no single unilateral route for the UK to create a new simplified visa category that would apply within the Schengen Area. However, the Government continues to work with industry to identify practical improvements, and communicate these with our European partners. We welcome the European Commission’s new EU Visa Strategy published on 29 January, which explicitly commits to exploring "practical flexibilities" for the 90/180-day Schengen limit for touring artists, specialists, and hauliers. The Commission’s intention to explore potential flexibilities is a positive recognition of the challenges faced by sectors, and the UK stands ready to engage in these discussions. The Government also provides direct support for UK artists through initiatives such as the Music Export Growth Scheme, co-funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the International Showcase Fund, funded by the DBT. These schemes are designed to help artists access international markets, expand their reach, and promote the UK’s creative talent globally. Addressing the challenges faced by artists and performers in our sectors is a key part of our broader strategy to strengthen and grow the UK’s creative industries, as set out in our Creative Industries Sector Plan published in June 2025. Supporting artists and performers touring the EU remains a priority.

Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of current visa arrangements on creative industries.

This government recognises that current visa arrangements can create real challenges for the Creative Industries, whose work often involves moving between multiple countries over short periods. We are working closely with the music industry to assess the impact on the sector and remain in open and constructive dialogue with the EU, with a view to improving arrangements across the European continent. Most recently, on 24th March, I attended the first UK-European Commission High-Level Meeting on Culture where I met with Commissioner Micallef (Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport). This marked a step forward since the inaugural UK-EU Summit in May last year, where we committed to deepening UK-EU cultural exchange, including the activities of touring artists. Government and industry are also working together in this effort, including through the new Cultural Exchange Coalition (CEC). I attended a panel session on 24th March at the European Parliament, hosted by MEPs Hannes Heide and Bogdan Zdrojewski in collaboration with the CEC, focused on strengthening UK-EU cultural exchange, including removing barriers to cross-border touring. The Government remains committed to securing improvements for our creative and cultural sectors and continuing to work closely with industry to ensure that these issues are clearly evidenced and understood.

Media and Sport, pursuant to Question 121975 on Musicians: EU Countries, what recent engagement her Department has had with (a) the European Commission, (b) Members of the European Parliament and (c) the sector on improving access to touring visas for UK artists performing in the EU.

This government recognises that current visa arrangements can create real challenges for the Creative Industries, whose work often involves moving between multiple countries over short periods. We are working closely with the music industry to assess the impact on the sector and remain in open and constructive dialogue with the EU, with a view to improving arrangements across the European continent. Most recently, on 24th March, I attended the first UK-European Commission High-Level Meeting on Culture where I met with Commissioner Micallef (Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport). This marked a step forward since the inaugural UK-EU Summit in May last year, where we committed to deepening UK-EU cultural exchange, including the activities of touring artists. Government and industry are also working together in this effort, including through the new Cultural Exchange Coalition (CEC). I attended a panel session on 24th March at the European Parliament, hosted by MEPs Hannes Heide and Bogdan Zdrojewski in collaboration with the CEC, focused on strengthening UK-EU cultural exchange, including removing barriers to cross-border touring. The Government remains committed to securing improvements for our creative and cultural sectors and continuing to work closely with industry to ensure that these issues are clearly evidenced and understood.

Media and Sport, what support her Department provides to artists and performers from West Dorset constituency seeking to tour in Europe.

This government recognises the impact that visa rules in Europe can have on artists and performers whose work spans multiple countries in quick succession. As your constituents in West Dorset will be aware, these arrangements arise from the UK and EU operating separate immigration systems, and the application of the 90/180-day rule is set at EU level. There is no single unilateral route for the UK to create a new simplified visa category that would apply within the Schengen Area. However, the Government continues to work with industry to identify practical improvements, and communicate these with our European partners. We welcome the European Commission’s new EU Visa Strategy published on 29 January, which explicitly commits to exploring "practical flexibilities" for the 90/180-day Schengen limit for touring artists, specialists, and hauliers. The Commission’s intention to explore potential flexibilities is a positive recognition of the challenges faced by sectors, and the UK stands ready to engage in these discussions. The Government also provides direct support for UK artists through initiatives such as the Music Export Growth Scheme, co-funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the International Showcase Fund, funded by the DBT. These schemes are designed to help artists access international markets, expand their reach, and promote the UK’s creative talent globally. Addressing the challenges faced by artists and performers in our sectors is a key part of our broader strategy to strengthen and grow the UK’s creative industries, as set out in our Creative Industries Sector Plan published in June 2025. Supporting artists and performers touring the EU remains a priority.

Media and Sport, what support her Department is providing to Premiership Women’s Rugby clubs.

The Government monitors the financial situation of rugby union closely and continues to work with the RFU, PWR, and the wider sport sector to support the ongoing sustainability of elite and community level rugby union. We are working to drive a Decade of Change in women’s sport and we are using the Women’s Sport Taskforce to drive progress across the sector. The Women’s Sport Taskforce was launched at the Women’s Rugby World Cup and seeks to understand and tackle challenges facing women and girls in sport from grassroots to elite.

Media and Sport, what long-term strategies her Department is promoting to help improve the (a) sustainability and (b) levels of participation of women’s rugby clubs across England.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to and can benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including rugby. We are also committed to supporting the financial sustainability of rugby clubs, and ensuring this translates into tangible outcomes that span grassroots participation through to elite performance. The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England provides long term investment of £16.9 million to the Rugby Football Football Union and £15.7 million to the Rugby Football League between 2022 and 2029, the National Governing Bodies for rugby to support grassroots participation. Since summer 2024, the Government has also provided £6.7 million into the Women’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Programme, Impact 25, which has benefited 850 clubs across the country. These clubs have received investment which goes towards supporting girls of all ages to get involved in rugby. This includes clubs based in the West Dorset constituency such as Dorchester RFC who received £5,000 towards upgrading the club's bathroom facilities.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the development and financial sustainability of women’s rugby clubs in the South West.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to and can benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including rugby. We are also committed to supporting the financial sustainability of rugby clubs, and ensuring this translates into tangible outcomes that span grassroots participation through to elite performance. The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England provides long term investment of £16.9 million to the Rugby Football Football Union and £15.7 million to the Rugby Football League between 2022 and 2029, the National Governing Bodies for rugby to support grassroots participation. Since summer 2024, the Government has also provided £6.7 million into the Women’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Programme, Impact 25, which has benefited 850 clubs across the country. These clubs have received investment which goes towards supporting girls of all ages to get involved in rugby. This includes clubs based in the West Dorset constituency such as Dorchester RFC who received £5,000 towards upgrading the club's bathroom facilities.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the financial sustainability of grassroots rugby clubs across England.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to and can benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including rugby. We are also committed to supporting the financial sustainability of rugby clubs, and ensuring this translates into tangible outcomes that span grassroots participation through to elite performance. The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England provides long term investment of £16.9 million to the Rugby Football Football Union and £15.7 million to the Rugby Football League between 2022 and 2029, the National Governing Bodies for rugby to support grassroots participation. Since summer 2024, the Government has also provided £6.7 million into the Women’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Programme, Impact 25, which has benefited 850 clubs across the country. These clubs have received investment which goes towards supporting girls of all ages to get involved in rugby. This includes clubs based in the West Dorset constituency such as Dorchester RFC who received £5,000 towards upgrading the club's bathroom facilities.

Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Rugby Football Union and Sport England on the financial sustainability of Premiership Womens Rugby clubs.

The Government monitors the financial situation of rugby union closely and continues to work with the RFU, PWR, and the wider sport sector to support the ongoing sustainability of elite and community level rugby union. We are working to drive a Decade of Change in women’s sport and we are using the Women’s Sport Taskforce to drive progress across the sector. The Women’s Sport Taskforce was launched at the Women’s Rugby World Cup and seeks to understand and tackle challenges facing women and girls in sport from grassroots to elite.

Media and Sport, what measures are in place to support the long-term viability of grassroots rugby clubs in the South West.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to and can benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including rugby. We are also committed to supporting the financial sustainability of rugby clubs, and ensuring this translates into tangible outcomes that span grassroots participation through to elite performance. The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England provides long term investment of £16.9 million to the Rugby Football Football Union and £15.7 million to the Rugby Football League between 2022 and 2029, the National Governing Bodies for rugby to support grassroots participation. Since summer 2024, the Government has also provided £6.7 million into the Women’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Programme, Impact 25, which has benefited 850 clubs across the country. These clubs have received investment which goes towards supporting girls of all ages to get involved in rugby. This includes clubs based in the West Dorset constituency such as Dorchester RFC who received £5,000 towards upgrading the club's bathroom facilities.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the sustainability of women’s rugby clubs in West Dorset; and what targeted support is available.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to and can benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including rugby. We are also committed to supporting the financial sustainability of rugby clubs, and ensuring this translates into tangible outcomes that span grassroots participation through to elite performance. The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England provides long term investment of £16.9 million to the Rugby Football Football Union and £15.7 million to the Rugby Football League between 2022 and 2029, the National Governing Bodies for rugby to support grassroots participation. Since summer 2024, the Government has also provided £6.7 million into the Women’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Programme, Impact 25, which has benefited 850 clubs across the country. These clubs have received investment which goes towards supporting girls of all ages to get involved in rugby. This includes clubs based in the West Dorset constituency such as Dorchester RFC who received £5,000 towards upgrading the club's bathroom facilities.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Premiership Rugby clubs and governing bodies on sustainable repayment plans for COVID-19 loans.

DCMS acted to support Premiership Rugby during the COVID-19 pandemic when their need was most acute. Loan financing was provided on favourable terms to applicant organisations, and DCMS is now collecting those repayments as intended. DCMS is not able to comment on the specifics of individual loans given their commercial sensitivity. Sport England, in their role as DCMS’s Loan Agent, regularly engages with borrowers to monitor their financial position, and works with them to help ensure that the loans are repaid, and that borrowers comply with the terms of their loans. I have met with the RFU and Prem Rugby previously to discuss the long-term financial sustainability of professional rugby union, and my officials regularly engage with the RFU and Prem Rugby on this issue.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the financial sustainability of grassroots rugby clubs in West Dorset.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to and can benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including rugby. We are also committed to supporting the financial sustainability of rugby clubs, and ensuring this translates into tangible outcomes that span grassroots participation through to elite performance. The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England provides long term investment of £16.9 million to the Rugby Football Football Union and £15.7 million to the Rugby Football League between 2022 and 2029, the National Governing Bodies for rugby to support grassroots participation. Since summer 2024, the Government has also provided £6.7 million into the Women’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Programme Impact 25 which has benefited 850 clubs across the country. These clubs have received investment which goes towards supporting girls of all ages to get involved in rugby.

Media and Sport, how much COVID-19 loan support is outstanding from Premiership Rugby Union clubs.

DCMS acted to support Premiership Rugby during the COVID-19 pandemic when their need was most acute. Loan financing was provided on favourable terms to applicant organisations, and DCMS is now collecting those repayments as intended. DCMS is not able to comment on the specifics of individual loans given their commercial sensitivity. Sport England, in their role as DCMS’s Loan Agent, regularly engages with borrowers to monitor their financial position, and works with them to help ensure that the loans are repaid, and that borrowers comply with the terms of their loans. I have met with the RFU and Prem Rugby previously to discuss the long-term financial sustainability of professional rugby union, and my officials regularly engage with the RFU and Prem Rugby on this issue.

Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Rugby Football Union and Sport England on the financial sustainability of PREM Rugby clubs.

The Government monitors the financial situation of rugby union closely and continues to work with the RFU, representatives of Prem and Champ clubs as well as the Tier Two Board, and the wider sport sector to support the ongoing sustainability of elite and community level rugby union.I have met with the RFU and Prem Rugby previously to discuss the long-term financial sustainability of professional rugby union, and my officials regularly engage with the RFU and Prem Rugby on this issue.During the Pandemic, the previous Government loaned £158 million to rugby union to support organisations impacted by COVID-19 restrictions on favourable terms. Sport England, in their role as DCMS’s Loan Agent, regularly engages with borrowers to monitor their financial position, and works with them to help ensure that the loans are repaid, and that borrowers comply with the terms of their loans.

Media and Sport, what progress she has made on the repayment of COVID-19 loans provided to Premiership Rugby Union clubs.

DCMS acted to support Premiership Rugby during the COVID-19 pandemic when their need was most acute. Loan financing was provided on favourable terms to applicant organisations, and DCMS is now collecting those repayments as intended. DCMS is not able to comment on the specifics of individual loans given their commercial sensitivity. Sport England, in their role as DCMS’s Loan Agent, regularly engages with borrowers to monitor their financial position, and works with them to help ensure that the loans are repaid, and that borrowers comply with the terms of their loans. I have met with the RFU and Prem Rugby previously to discuss the long-term financial sustainability of professional rugby union, and my officials regularly engage with the RFU and Prem Rugby on this issue.