Speeches by Peacock.

“It is a great idea. I agree. I will put it to her later today.”

“The Committee heard some evidence on this, and there are some good examples of where events have been exported. In terms of the practical ongoing support, there will be official-level engagement. Jonathan, do you want to share some examples of that?”

“That is an important question and resonates with me as MP for Barnsley South. It is something I think about often. I can give some clear examples of where legacy planning starts from the outset and we think about how we can get as many people involved as possible. I went to the figure skating in Sheffield and met some …”

“I acknowledge that up front. You heard from him in particular but also a number of witnesses about better co‑ordination, better access and being a clear front door into Government. That is something I am committed to improving. At the start of this year, the Department began more work on that. In a second, I will hand …”

“Is there a differing understanding of what it is, or is there a debate on how it is policed and how that is funded? When we talk about different events, Zone Ex will be different for different things, as in the examples given. We work with the Home Office, which I know is actively engaged on this issue. Those are conve…”

“I have some examples. I met with the Policing Minister to talk about a number of the different policies that fall to the Home Office. I do that on an ongoing basis. When I lead on tourism, I have done a number of sector engagements with the Treasury and Minister Tomlinson. As I said earlier, I note the feedback that yo…”

“I acknowledge that point.”

“No, I am not reluctant to agree. I have met with the sector a number of times over the last 18 months, and I am very aware of its concerns on this issue. As I say, I acknowledge and understand the pressures on policing. Particularly over the last 15 years I have seen that, as I say, in my own constituency. We acknowled…”

“My understanding is that, as part of the Policing Minister’s engagement with the sector, she has spoken to a range of different organisations, including those. I will clarify that point to make sure that is accurate. Michael, I do not know whether you want to add anything in terms of the wide discussion that we have wi…”

“I met with them just over a month ago and had a discussion. They requested, from memory, about £3 million. I asked officials to meet them again: to set a date within a week of that meeting and meet within a month. I met informally one of the representatives last week at an event. I can follow up with the Committee abou…”

“I met with Mayor Kim McGuinness last week. I have met with mayors, and when I have been out and about doing visits I regularly meet my counterparts, often on a very practical level but also to talk about shared opportunities. When I attended the Olympics and Paralympics, there was a Sports Ministers meeting. We will ho…”

“I was really struck by the evidence that he gave. I listened to that session that the Committee held. He talked through the history of them, how they emerged from Hillsborough, particularly around football, and the acknowledgment that there is benefit for all major events. Clearly, it is a concern that, over the last j…”

“We would all agree with that. Of course, there were mistakes made and lessons need to be learned, and that is really important, but as I said just now, they are inherently a good thing. I discuss the issue across Government. I have spoken to the Home Office about it, and we have agreed very clearly that following those…”

“I hope I am not mischaracterising the theme of the evidence that the witnesses gave, but I think it was broadly welcomed, and that has been my experience when talking to the sector. The basic aim behind it was to remove barriers at all different levels. Through that taskforce, the Government accepted the recommendation…”

“We have had huge interest in the Town of Culture programme, as I am sure you are aware. We have had more than 400 applicants. That is incredibly welcome. One recommendation of the predecessor Committee was to give that money up front for the City of Culture, which has been done. I referenced the fact that we are hostin…”

“We speak regularly to the Business Department. I have pointed out that Minister McDougall has been engaged in a lot of ongoing discussions.”

“I totally take that point. I say it from the outset that I very much acknowledge it, as does the Secretary of State. We were both in attendance at the Grand Prix last summer. I was at the Motorsport Awards in January and I have met with F1 about the points that you have put to me. As well as the Committee visiting, I b…”

“That is a completely fair point. When you talk about touring and music, and moving equipment, Minister Murray leads on that. I met with him ahead of this Committee. I will put the points to him that you put to me. We engage across Government and we engage on an ongoing basis with the EU, which is led by the Cabinet Off…”

“I heard the evidence they gave and I was quite struck by some of the details. They talked about their pyramid of events. There was perhaps a sense of caution. They welcomed a UK strategy perhaps, but they did not want to cut across it. That is something we hear from both the regions and nations on anything from the UK …”

“No, I think we have covered a huge amount of ground. It is a very exciting space. We are world leaders in hosting major events. It is so important for every part of the country and all communities. There are so many different examples of that. There has been absolutely wild enthusiasm for the Town of Culture up and dow…”