Speeches by Peacock.

“I think that is a really good question, and particularly topical because I am also the Minister for Civil Society. I should obviously start by paying a huge tribute to volunteers and to volunteering; 10.5 million people gave their time according to the Sport England survey. That is a huge amount and we know that grassr…”

“Just look at the huge economic benefit of Paralympic and Olympic sport to the economy—£25 billion—as well as the huge inspiration. We absolutely do need those facilities there and think that £400 million is a really good settlement in a tight fiscal environment. What we also want to be really clear about is that that m…”

“I went out to visit the LTA a few months ago—it is probably longer ago now than I realise; it was probably six months ago—and I was delighted to be at Wimbledon last week. I know the whole nation would have been inspired by that, but to my earlier point, we do want the facilities for people to be able to go and take pa…”

“Well, that is a very good question. We are both very keen and passionate to work together on this. We recognise that if we are going to make the changes we talk about, then we do have to work together.”

“I can answer that in two parts. In terms of the new build, I think currently in multi-sport programmes across the UK, there are 1,600 projects this year, of which 200 are brand new, 200 are renovations, and the rest are everything from goalposts to new pitches. There is a real range. The Secretary of State has talked a…”

“Three times officially, I think. We will double-check that so we do not give inaccurate information. I recall our roundtable, but we do speak regularly in the lobby. I don’t know how many times we have done that.”

“That is a good question. I listened to the evidence that you took from the Football Foundation. They obviously have plans up and down the country for every local authority. They are refreshing that at 40% multi-sport, and they encourage other sports to get involved in those facilities. However, there is absolutely an a…”

“We speak regularly with the Department of Health and on the Health Secretary’s 10-year plan. As I say, he was out and about yesterday, along with Joe Wicks, talking about the benefits, particularly to young people but indeed to everyone, of getting physically active. It just shows how important this is, not just to my …”

“There are just under 12 million people who are inactive in this country, and that is not just a story of inactivity; it is a story of inequality. I see it in my own constituency. In Stairfoot, people live for seven years fewer than people on the other side of Barnsley, in the more affluent part of Penistone. That is ju…”

“We are open to looking at how we do the funding. We do think that multi-sport works, but I think there is an argument to look at the multi-sport plans and exactly how they work, and to make sure. Returning to the point around community-based, place-based funding, we want to know what local communities want. If your loc…”

“As I said earlier, I have spoken to the relevant Minister in the Department. I have had conversations with them. I respect that they are taking their consultation through, but I have certainly had conversations and will continue to do so.”

“I refer to the earlier answer. I recognise the challenge in our planning system. I spoke about it when I was on the Back Benches. I had a number of local challenges with the planning system, so I understand its aspiration to improve it and to make it better. However, I would encourage people to respond to that consulta…”

“Yes, and as I said in my previous answer, I do think there is an argument for widening it out. The Football Foundation has done fantastic work. Several MPs have come to me to talk about facilities in their local area, and they are always really encouraged to go and look at those plans that are being refreshed. They hav…”

“It is not being considered, no.”

“I think the point that the LGA made was that the funding has to follow that. While I think there has been a generous funding settlement from the Government Department, clearly there have been significant cuts in the last 15 years. I give again the example of my own area: 40%, some of the worst cuts in the country. They…”

“No, but if you look at the number of strategies—and I think some of the evidence you have taken is about cross-Government working—it is really important that it is cross-Government and through a number of the different Government strategies.”

“I am the sports Minister. Of course, I do not want to see facilities taken away. We have spent a lot of time with the Committee talking about how we need to improve and invest in facilities. It is in absolutely no one’s interest to give with one hand and take away with the other.”

“Taking a step back, I do appreciate that the planning system simply is not working and I could share many examples from my own constituents of that. I think the evidence you heard from the Football Foundation is clear. It is far too slow, so I do think there is an issue here. I cannot speak for Bill as a whole, but tha…”

“That is a very fair point, but I think we have been very clear in what we want to achieve in terms of reducing inactivity rates that have been stubbornly too high, supporting women and girls and improving grassroots. It has been in our actions throughout a number of government strategies, but I think, yes, the next ste…”

“I am very aware of the statistics and I have spoken to Sport England about it. I am familiar with their work. I have spoken to the Minister about the issue as a whole and the Department will be opening a consultation very shortly. I do encourage people to contribute to that consultation and make those views heard.”