Written questions by Beavers.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help increase participation in women’s football.

The Government is determined to drive participation opportunities for women and girls across sport, including football. The Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme will invest £85 million in 2026/27, with 30% of priority slots reserved for women’s and girls’ teams. We will also continue to use the Women’s Football Taskforce to deliver tangible change for women and girls from grassroots to elite level.

Media and Sport, how her Department plans to promote the National Year of Reading within policy and strategy for public libraries.

Public libraries are central to the success of the National Year of Reading’s campaign to engage people of all ages with reading. The Reading Agency has been appointed to work with sector partners to deliver and support public library engagement. The Summer Reading Challenge in 2026, and World Book Night, the annual celebration of reading for adults on 23 April 2026, will be key moments for libraries during the National Year of Reading 2026. Throughout the year, The Reading Agency will provide public libraries with resources, toolkits, and print and digital materials to support their work.This is part of the broader programme of government support for the National Year of Reading including the £5 million funding for secondary schools to purchase books the Chancellor announced during her budget speech.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has had discussions with the Health Lottery on fulfilling its social responsibility duties.

The Health Lottery has social responsibility duties and requirements to provide information to the Gambling Commission about proceeds and how these are split between prizes, expenses and good causes under its licence from the Gambling Commission. The Department has not held discussions with the Health Lottery on fulfilling its social responsibility duties, and does not hold data on its proceeds and the proportion it allocates to good causes.More information on the responsibilities of large lotteries can be found on the Gambling Commission’s website here.

Media and Sport, whether her Department holds data on the amount the Health Lottery (a) makes in profit and (b) spends on social endeavours.

The Health Lottery has social responsibility duties and requirements to provide information to the Gambling Commission about proceeds and how these are split between prizes, expenses and good causes under its licence from the Gambling Commission. The Department has not held discussions with the Health Lottery on fulfilling its social responsibility duties, and does not hold data on its proceeds and the proportion it allocates to good causes.More information on the responsibilities of large lotteries can be found on the Gambling Commission’s website here.