Stephanie Peacock MP: speeches

Speeches

• 25 Mar 2026 · Voluntary Groups and Community Centres · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms McVey. I thank everyone who contributed to this important debate. I begin by thanking my hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea and Fulham (Ben Coleman) for securing the debate. He is a great representative for the voluntary sector, having held many voluntary roles in the past and maintaining his role as a trustee for a local community centre in addition to his duties as the local MP. We have had some brilliant contributions today, highlighting just how important voluntary groups and centres are in the role they play up and down the country. I am not sure that the speech from the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Mr French), reflected the tone of the debate. He gave what he said was not an extensive list—I would argue that it was a selective one—but I will touch on some of his points as I progress with my contribution. First, I will address some of the points made by my hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea and Fulham. Some of his questions and asks fall to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, but I will ensure that he gets answers. I will respond to some of his questions now, but for the more technical ones I will ensure that he speaks to the relevant Minister. My hon. Friend spoke about security of tenure. As a Government, we are introducing a new community right to buy, giving communities the first opportunity to purchase an asset of community value when put up for sale. We also have the common ground award, which will invest up to £10,000 of capital funding into voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. He asked about tenancy issues, and particularly about local government guidance, all of which fall to MCHLG. My hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Daniel Francis) and others also asked about that, so I will write to Members and suggest to my counterpart that she meet with them. My hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme (Lee Pitcher) gave a very entertaining speech, which touched on a number of issues. He made some important points about community radio. When I was media Minister, I went to visit a number of community radio stations. He spoke about the local covenant partnership. That is about championing collaborative commissioning models, which answers some of his points. The hon. Member for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe (David Chadwick) spoke about loneliness. Yesterday, DCMS was pleased to relaunch the tackling loneliness hub. I will send him some details on that. I was interested to hear the hon. Member for Frome and East Somerset (Anna Sabine), who shared some interesting examples; I would be pleased to discuss them further with her. I am sure that hon. Members across the House will agree that the work that voluntary organisations and community centres do every single day is incredibly valuable to those who access them. We do not take their work for granted. Indeed, in my Barnsley South constituency, we are lucky to have so many brilliant examples of community centres and voluntary organisations. The shadow Minister gave a very extensive list; I am not sure I will do as well as he did, but I will mention a few: Barnsley Samaritans, Age UK, the YMCA, and local groups such as the Barnsley Foodbank Partnership, the Future Arts Centre at the Barnsley Civic, and BIADS, of which I am proud to be a patron. There are many others across the borough of Barnsley. We also have access to community centres such as the Darfield community centre and the Birdwell community centre. Yesterday, I was delighted to visit the new Parkside one, which is coupled with a sports centre and a more than £4 million investment into Barnsley South. I know just how important these spaces and organisations are to local people. Community centres are often the site for important milestone events. Whether it be birthday parties, weddings or something else entirely, some of the most treasured memories in people’s lives have taken place in these spaces. That is why the Government are pleased to recognise and celebrate the contribution that they make. I take the opportunity to offer thanks to all those brilliant volunteers who contribute to the running of community centres and get involved with voluntary work each day. The volunteers who keep these important services running are some of the most talented and driven in our society, and we know they need support. Over the past year, a huge 54% of adults—around 24.8 million people—volunteered at least once, with 33% of adults volunteering at least once a month. Whether that is formal volunteering through established organisations or informally within local communities, it is clear that people across the country are willing to help each other out, giving up their time for the good of others, as the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) spoke so passionately about. He is absolutely right about the importance of working together. I was pleased to visit a voluntary group when I was in Northern Ireland—I think it was called the Ravine project—and I would be delighted to visit more such groups when I next visit Northern Ireland. Indeed, I am pleased to visit voluntary groups up and down the country, because this Government want to encourage volunteering. We want to get as many people as possible involved, so that positive change can continue to be delivered across communities by communities. As the Minister for Civil Society, as I have just mentioned, I have had the privilege of visiting some brilliant organisations across the country. They include the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, which shared with me the work it does to encourage people of all ages to get involved in volunteering in a variety of ways. I was particularly pleased to speak to the young volunteers and hear how their experience has helped them to form new social connections. I was also pleased to meet Ruff and Ruby—a King’s Award-winning youth charity carrying out important work in Stoke-on-Trent, with a new app that connects young people to resources, education, employment, volunteering and suicide prevention—and the brand new Bedworth physical activity hub, which I visited just last week with my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire and Bedworth (Rachel Taylor). That hub serves as an easy-to-access, supportive environment in which people from the community can achieve their health and fitness goals, as well as providing a space for them to connect with their neighbours. During my time there, it became obvious that that hub is a perfect example of how such a centre can become vital for meeting the needs of the community. It was also a delight to meet a range of charitable organisations at events hosted by the York Centre for Voluntary Services a few weeks ago. I heard about its city-wide volunteering strategy, a five-year plan co-created by charities and the council, making time for volunteering accessible to everyone. At DCMS, we are pleased to pledge support for the Big Help Out this year, which is a national celebration to raise awareness of the impact that volunteering can have. This year, the Big Help Out will be delivered by the Eden Project in Cornwall, which I will be visiting tomorrow to celebrate its 25-year anniversary. I remember when it opened, which makes me feel a little bit old. The Government have already established our ambition to recognise the value of civil society through the civil society covenant, as a number of Members, including my hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea and Fulham, mentioned. The Prime Minister made it clear at the civil society summit in July 2025 that civil society has a home at the heart of Government, and we have established the Civil Society Council, chaired by Kate Lee. That council gives voluntary organisations, such as the brilliant ones that have been mentioned throughout this debate, a voice at the heart of Government, bringing together leaders from charities, social enterprises, philanthropy, faith organisations, community organisations and the youth sector. The Government also recognise the need to reduce the administrative burden on voluntary organisations. It was great to hear the Chancellor introduce a new VAT relief for charities in the Budget, which establishes that business donations of goods to charities for onward distribution or use in their services will not be subject to VAT. This is in addition to the VAT relief that charities already benefit from, which is estimated to be worth £1 billion for the sector each year. I was delighted to attend a roundtable on this topic, hosted by Amazon and chaired by the former Prime Minister, the right hon. Gordon Brown. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to him for all the work he has done on this issue. This important measure is set to significantly boost the supply of essential items to charities and will come into effect from 1 April this year. We recognise how important community spaces are for developing social networks, encouraging community participation and promoting civic pride. This Government are committed to giving community groups the ability to own and manage assets for the benefit of the wider community. As I referenced earlier, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will introduce a new community right to buy, giving communities the first opportunity to purchase an asset of community value when it is put up for sale by the owner. Of course, this is not an issue that we are going to fix overnight, but it is something that the Government are passionate about, as proven by the many colleagues across the House who have enjoyed—enjoyed? I am sure they have—and contributed to this important debate, and I look forward to continuing to work with them.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Carnivals · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I congratulate the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton (Sarah Dyke) and my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Dan Aldridge) on securing this important debate and for the powerful way in which they have spoken about their constituencies and the distinctive long-standing cultural tradition of illuminated carnivals. All hon. Members who have contributed to this debate have spoken with such passion. I will address some of the direct points put to me before talking about how carnivals impact the arts and tourism. As we have heard, the west country carnival circuits are a spectacular annual celebration dating back to the 17th century. They represent far more than local custom; they bring in visitors and are a valuable source of income. I congratulate the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton on her continued advocacy for carnivals, including the Glastonbury carnival, and for the roundtable she held in her constituency this month. She spoke about the passionate commitment of everyone who attended that and, indeed, she referenced the magnificent seven carnivals and their impact on things such as charity, tourism, culture, volunteering and the community. She made an important point about skills and volunteering, which I will touch on later. The hon. Member put points to me about costs, including material, fuel, tractors and insurance. I acknowledge that and the shadow spokesperson, the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Sir Ashley Fox) made that point as well. The hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton spoke about fundraising, membership fees and sponsorship, and increasing challenges. We live in an increasingly cashless society, and we have seen a roughly 15% reduction in the use of cash since 2017. That is something the Government are aware of. The hon. Member also made a specific point about safety advisory groups. The Government issue best practice, which is co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office, but it is a matter for local government. I will write to her about that specific point, as it might be useful. My hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare rightly stated that my first visit as the Minister for Tourism was to his constituency, and I was delighted to visit. I had the pleasure of meeting local tourism and hospitality leaders, as well as the dedicated team at the Grand Pier. I thank him for his kind words and his warm welcome. The visit made it incredibly clear to me how vital the visitor economy is to the spirit and economy of the west country. I wish all those at the Weston-super-Mare carnival continued success and I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for being the first in this place to speak about that carnival. He spoke passionately about the carnival ecosystem and how it inspires younger people. Indeed, it inspires those of all ages, as the shadow spokesperson rightly pointed out. It was good to hear from the shadow spokesperson, and I know he takes a keen interest in this subject. He asked a question at oral questions a few weeks ago and I am delighted that I will meet him soon to discuss the matter further. The Bridgwater carnival is part of the west country carnival circuit, and the magnificent seven procession travels from his constituency to Glastonbury. He spoke about his constituency being “the home of carnival”. My hon. Friend the Member for Luton South and South Bedfordshire (Rachel Hopkins) spoke about the history in her area, dating back to the 1400s. She also asked a question on this topic at Culture, Media and Sport questions—it was a popular subject. She spoke about the UK Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton. It is the first dedicated facility for professional development, production and celebration of carnival culture. That is really important and it is the driving force behind the Luton International Carnival, which my hon. Friend spoke so passionately about. Every year, carnival draws thousands of visitors. It is not just a show; it supports the local economy and brings the community together. It is a unique form of living history. Both Arts Council England and the national lottery project grants have supported vital initiatives around the carnival, including community workshops, school programmes and the development of key skills, such as costume making and set design. As an art form rich in cultural heritage and global influence, the Government continue to fund carnival arts right across the country via their grant-in-aid investment in Arts Council England. My hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare raised a point about access to funding. It might be helpful if I write to all hon. Members in the debate about how carnival can bid for and access funding. I will make sure my Department writes to each hon. Member here after the debate. As part of a transformative £1.5 billion package over the course of this Parliament, the Government provided a 5% funding uplift to key national arts organisations. That means organisations, such as the UK Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton and the St Pauls carnival in Bristol, are funded as part of the Arts Council’s national portfolio. The funding supports a broad ecosystem beyond the incredible shows. It supports creative workshops, master classes around events and, of course, the unforgettable original costume designs and live music. The Government’s arts everywhere ambition ensures that carnival is not merely a seasonal event, but a sophisticated year-round art form that supports places to thrive, generating millions of pounds in benefits and telling our nations’ stories. The next generation of carnival artists are being cultivated and supported through Arts Council England investment in organisations such as Global Grooves in Tameside, which transforms the lives of young people by immersing them in the world of carnival. Through its dedicated future leaders programme at the Vale youth hub, it bridges the gap between community tradition and professional skills development, offering hands-on experiences in costume design, puppetry and dance. Government support helps to ensure that the vibrant heart of carnival continues. The organisations that I mentioned are amazing examples of how our national story moved from community practice to national policy in 2024, when the UK ratified UNESCO’s 2003 convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. Intangible cultural heritage, or living heritage, matters because those traditions are the threads that weave us together. They provide a way to celebrate our incredible diversity, which can turn strangers into a community through shared song, craft and celebration. This debate is important because of the impact that carnival has on tourism and the visitor economy, not just on the arts. Our ambition is clear: we want to welcome 50 million international visitors annually by 2030. But we recognise that numbers alone are not the measure of success. We must ensure that those visitors stay longer and explore further, reaching beyond our major hubs and into the rural and coastal heartlands. That is something that we will acknowledge and celebrate next week in English Tourism Week. To do that, we understand that sustaining regional growth requires more visitors. We want to be passionate, and carnivals play an incredibly important role. I also want to recognise the huge impact that volunteers have in carnivals. A number of Members have made incredibly important points, so I will end by paying tribute to all Members and the vital role that carnivals play.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Small Charity Sector · Hansard source

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  I absolutely recognise those volunteers and staff members, who often do huge amounts of work to deliver amazing outcomes. The hon. Gentleman makes an incredibly important point, as always. I know that volunteers across the country dedicate their time—week in, week out. If the House will indulge me, I want to share an example from my own area of Barnsley. Last Saturday, I took part in the Barnsley parkrun along with my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley North (Dan Jarvis). It is a brilliant initiative, organised by volunteers every week. We ran the parkrun alongside Oliver Smith, who is just nine years old. He is running nine marathons in four months to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity following his dad’s diagnosis. Oliver’s commitment to fundraising and raising awareness is incredibly inspiring, and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all his amazing efforts. I was also pleased last week to visit a small charity in Barnsley, the Barnsley Hospital Charity, which has run a number of campaigns over the years and is currently raising funds particularly for breast cancer care. My Department wants to do what it can to support volunteering. We have commissioned an open data initiative that will help break down barriers for more people to get involved in the causes that mean the most to them. It will make it easier for small charities to advertise volunteering opportunities and expand their reach, generating further support and interest for their work in their local areas.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Small Charity Sector · Hansard source

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  That is a very fair point, and one that I have seen in my own constituency of Barnsley. In the interest of time, I will not share the details of my example, but I will take that point away and write to the hon. Lady directly on it. We want to address that specific point through the covenant. Moving on to the second point of my hon. Friend the Member for Southport about tax reliefs for charities, charities and their donors received around £6.7 billion in tax relief in the 2024-25 tax year. The long-running gift aid scheme has raised over £1.7 billion alone during that period. I attended a roundtable hosted by Amazon and co-chaired by Gordon Brown on the new VAT relief for business donations on goods to charities. As the Chancellor announced at the Budget, that new relief will increase the supply of essential items available to charities and make it easier for businesses to support charitable work. The former Prime Minister deserves huge credit for his leadership on that issue throughout his establishment of Multibank. As he outlined in his speech, the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green and the Centre for Social Justice have a keen interest in growing philanthropy in the UK, especially for small charities. A number of other Members raised that issue too. We recognise that many small charities rely on donations from the public to support their work, and while I am aware that there is more work to do, I acknowledge the £15 billion that was donated last year. We want to better connect, unlock and partner with philanthropists to mobilise private funds for public good, a point put to me by the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Liz Jarvis). I recently chaired a roundtable on that subject, bringing together philanthropists, business leaders and other Government Departments to discuss how we can build philanthropic giving into Government missions. We are committed to a place-based philanthropy strategy. That will set out how the Government can create an environment that encourages philanthropists to support local communities and ensures that the benefits of philanthropy are felt nationwide. Indeed, the hon. Member for East Wiltshire (Danny Kruger) raised the issue of philanthropy being a priority for the City of London. I was pleased to attend and speak at the Giving and Impact summit last year at the London Stock Exchange. The shadow Minister mentioned the Office for the Impact Economy. Launched by the Prime Minister, it is the Government’s new central hub for investors, philanthropists and businesses looking to make social impact. The office will make sure that charities can access funding beyond traditional grants and give direction to individuals and organisations looking to make a difference. I am happy to set up a meeting for Members who are interested in that area with the new office, so please do contact me. We cannot debate charities without mentioning volunteers. Volunteers keep charities running, with around 12 million volunteers giving their time and commitment each year. Yesterday in York, I met the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, which shared with me the work it does to encourage people to get involved in a variety of ways. It was a particular pleasure to speak to the young volunteers, and I wish the York Centre for Voluntary Services the very best with its volunteering fair tomorrow, which will bring together many charities from across their city.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Small Charity Sector · Hansard source

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  I take that point, Sir Roger, and I heard what the hon. Member for East Wiltshire (Danny Kruger) said. I will end where the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green began. He spoke about how the Government, families and community groups can work together, and are best placed, alongside small charities, to support local areas and to tackle challenges. He said that the ones that do the most, we often hear the least about. I think this debate has gone some way to changing that by shining a light on so many brilliant examples of hard working charities across our country. I conclude by acknowledging the huge contribution that small charities make, and I thank them for all their work.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Small Charity Sector · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Roger. I congratulate the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) on securing this important debate. His commitment to small charitable organisations is evident not only in his speech, but through his work in that area, and indeed in this place, over many years. I begin by paying tribute to small charities and the critical support that they provide to people across the country, which has been highlighted today. Small charities make up the vast majority of the voluntary community and social enterprise sector. Those responsive, locally engaged groups are often best placed to understand the strengths, capabilities and cultures that make up their local communities. In this debate, we heard a number of examples, and I want to mention a few of them. The right hon. Member spoke about Ripple, based in Portsmouth, and about how, in response to personal tragedy, it set up a lifesaving tool. It is incredibly important that he shared that example with the House today, and I will reflect it to the relevant Minister. My hon. Friend the Member for Alloa and Grangemouth (Brian Leishman) spoke powerfully about a number of charities, as did Members from across the House. My hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Patrick Hurley) said that Greta, a representative of one of his local charities, is here in Parliament. I join him in welcoming them. The hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway (John Cooper) raised important issues, such as digital poverty, that affect rural communities. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse), who shared an example of her work bringing local domestic violence charities together; I am pleased to hear that that work is ongoing. The right hon. Member for Salisbury (John Glen) raised a specific question about Pride in Place. It is a policy led by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and I have met with the relevant Minister. The policy is grounded in local leadership, but I will ensure that the right hon. Member’s points are put to that Minister and will write to him accordingly. The hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) raised the importance of small charities in tackling food poverty, something that I have seen in my constituency. That point was also made by the hon. Member for Birmingham Perry Barr (Ayoub Khan); I will write to him about his specific question, but I will touch on some of the points he made later in my speech. I congratulate the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Isle of Wight East (Joe Robertson), on his new role at the CSJ, and will address some of the points he put to me later. Yesterday I met a range of charitable organisations at events hosted by the York Centre for Voluntary Services and the Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership. Those charities play a vital role in their local communities, giving a voice to those living in poverty, supporting unpaid carers and empowering women, often victims of domestic violence, to improve their lives. In my area of Barnsley, whether it be BIADS—Barnsley Independent Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support—of which I am a patron, or the world-class Barnsley Youth Choir, small charities are at the forefront of innovation and social change. In last month alone I have met two great small charities from across the country: the Family Volunteering Club, a small charity led by Maddy Mills, creating opportunities for young children and their families to volunteer, and Ruff & Ruby, a King’s award-winning youth charity carrying out important work in Stoke-on-Trent. Ruff & Ruby has the UTH CITY app, which connects young people with resources, education, employment, volunteering and suicide prevention. Indeed, my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Gareth Snell) gave some excellent examples of its work, and I was pleased to visit his area last year to meet a number of charities and hear at first hand about the work they are doing. I acknowledge the financial pressures faced by the sector. The hon. Member for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire (Mr MacDonald) and a number of others put to me points around national insurance, which we have debated a number of times, and a specific point about VAT. That is an issue for the Treasury, but I will reflect his request to the relevant Minister and write to him. We want to reduce administrative burdens on businesses, including charities, by a quarter by the end of this Parliament. Last October, I set out a series of changes to the financial thresholds for charities that will come into force this year. These will save charities an average of £47 million each year, while ensuring that the regulation of the sector remains proportionate. The civil society covenant, which represents a fundamental shift in how Government works with the sector, is a recognition of the value that civil society brings, and a commitment to work in partnership to deliver better for citizens and communities. I was pleased to meet a number of civil society organisations at London City Hall towards the end of last year to discuss how the civil society covenant can help the Government to connect with the whole sector. In that context, I do not recognise the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green’s characterisation that the Government do not listen and engage, or that they simply take small charities for granted. I acknowledge that we can always do better, but the covenant is about having the ambition to do exactly that. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched an £11.6 million local covenant partnership fund. The fund will support local government, public service providers and civil society organisations to work collaboratively to tackle local policy priorities and better meet the needs of local communities. Outside this place, I know that there have been questions from charities regarding the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024; while that question has not been raised in this debate, I make it clear to Members and the sector that charities can continue to claim gift aid where eligible and compliant with consumer law, where it applies. I met with the Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, the hon. Member for Gosport (Dame Caroline Dinenage), and the shadow Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Droitwich and Evesham (Nigel Huddleston), to discuss the topic last week, alongside colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade. I am aware of the sector’s concerns and I am committed to working with colleagues in DBT and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs on the issue. I wrote to the Chair of the Committee today in response to her letter to me on Friday to provide an update and confirm that, in relation to gift aid, secondary legislation is not necessary at this time. I will touch on some of the broader DCMS and Government support for charities, answering a question put to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger). Last summer, DCMS published the Government’s first ever dormant asset strategy, mapping out how the £440 million of funding will be distributed. That will include £132.5 million to benefit young people and £87.5 million for social investment. Funding will go towards providing small, affordable loans to grassroots organisations alongside tailored support to help small enterprises to grow and become more financially resilient. I recognise that there is a need to support more civil society organisations to grow their income from public sector contracts. At present, civil society organisations secure just 4% of the total value of those contracts, a figure that has remained unchanged for the past 10 years. The national procurement policy statement published in February 2025 underlines the Government’s commitment to strengthening the UK economy by maximising opportunities for civil society organisations to access public contracts. That is a clear signal that the sector’s expertise and value will be recognised and supported throughout the public sector, highlighting our ambition to make it easier for civil society organisations of all sizes, and small and medium-sized enterprises, to deliver public contracts. I think that answers the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Southport.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Small Charity Sector · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend makes an incredibly important point; the young volunteers were also talking to me about that data point yesterday. One example is that the DCMS launched the voluntary, community, and social enterprise business hub last year, alongside the VCSE Crown representative. The hub contains a host of resources intended to support civil society organisations in finding and bidding for public funding. That is especially important for smaller charities with fewer resources to dedicate to seeking out such funding, and it is a vital source of information in our mission to encourage more civil society organisations into public sector contracts. Obviously, however, data is helpful across the board.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Youth Activities: Urban Communities · Hansard source

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  Boxing clubs like Fight for Peace play a huge role in supporting young people’s physical and mental health. Through Sport England, funding for England Boxing between 2022 and 2029 will be over £9 million. I recently met with the all-party parliamentary group on boxing, and I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this further and, indeed, to visit his constituency.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Youth Activities: Urban Communities · Hansard source

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  Our national youth strategy sets out our plan to ensure that every young person has somewhere to go, something to do and someone who cares. It is backed by over £500 million of Department for Culture, Media and Sport funding over the next three years.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Youth Activities: Urban Communities · Hansard source

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  I am grateful to the Chair of the Select Committee for all her work; it was a pleasure to meet her again yesterday. I do not recognise her representation of cricket domes. The previous Government simply did not fund them, but this Government has, announcing two new ones, alongside the £400 million of grassroots sports funding that the Secretary of State has referred to. On the National Citizen Service, we announced our national youth strategy, which was the first in over 10 years.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Outcomes for Young People: Bracknell Forest · Hansard source

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  I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who is a strong champion for his constituency, and to Wayz for all its work over the last 60 years. The strategy is backed by £500 million of new funding, £350 million of which will be available till the end of March 2030, to refurbish or build youth facilities through our better youth spaces programme. We are committed to working with areas of greatest need across the length and breadth of England, and I will write further to him.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Outcomes for Young People: Bracknell Forest · Hansard source

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  In December, we published “Youth Matters”, the first Government strategy in over a decade for young people up and down the country. It will, of course, run alongside other major Government investments, including the youth guarantee and the expansion of mental health support teams in schools.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Active Lifestyles · Hansard source

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  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Team GB at the winter Olympics. It was a real pleasure to be out in Italy cheering them on in their most successful winter games yet. I pay tribute to the lady the hon. Gentleman mentioned. We want everyone, whatever their age, to be able to be active, and we are always interested to hear ideas about future major sporting events.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Active Lifestyles · Hansard source

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  The Government are committed to ensuring that people of all ages have the opportunity to maintain an active lifestyle. Sport England invests over £250 million of lottery and Exchequer funding annually into grassroots sport to support people of all ages. That includes multiple campaigns designed to encourage active lifestyles.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Active Lifestyles · Hansard source

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  I am aware of the issue and would be delighted to meet the hon. Member to discuss it further.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Short-term Lets · Hansard source

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  The new national short-term lets registration scheme entered user testing at the end of October to ensure that it is robust and easy to use and meets the needs of the scheme ahead of its planned launch later in 2026. Secondary legislation will be required to enact the scheme and we intend to bring that forward when parliamentary time allows.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Short-term Lets · Hansard source

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  The registration scheme will collect essential data to help authorities, but, as my hon. Friend knows and indeed secured a ten-minute rule Bill on the issue, the legislation does not address the issue around data sharing for the number of nights. I look forward to working with her to see whether we can rectify this issue to ensure that data is shared between platforms, and that hosts understand their responsibilities and give local authorities and Government the required data. I know from a number of meetings with her how important this issue is to her constituency, and she is a really big campaigner on it.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Short-term Lets · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Gentleman for his incredibly kind comments. Following his question, I will set up a meeting with my counterpart to discuss this matter and he would be very welcome to join it.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  The “30 by 30” programme seeks to recruit 40,000 more cadets across the UK. We are working with the MOD to do that. They do incredibly important work, and my hon. Friend raises an important issue.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Sport England is not losing its status; there is a consultation. The Prime Minister and I have met a number of times to discuss the issue. Having committed £400 million to grassroot sports, we do not want to see playing fields and grassroots sports reduced.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I know this is a concern to Members across the House—I have met and corresponded with a number of them. It is an issue that is incredibly important to both me and the Secretary of State, who met with players impacted by this to hear their stories. I will be hosting a roundtable discussion shortly with the football bodies to explore what more can be done. Our priority is for the football authorities to provide greater clarity on the available funding and to ensure enough money is available to provide those impacted with the support they need.

• 26 Feb 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Spending on youth services in England saw a 73% reduction under the last Government. Too many areas like my hon. Friend’s then had no youth services. That is why our national youth strategy, backed by over £500 million, is reversing that trend, and I would be happy to discuss it further with him.

• 10 Feb 2026 · Sherwood Forest: Tourism · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood Forest (Michelle Welsh) on securing this debate and on the powerful way in which she spoke about her constituency, its history and its people. The fact that this debate has been so well attended by local Members shows what strong representation the area is blessed with. My hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Steve Yemm) mentioned the well-known Major Oak, which my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham North and Kimberley (Alex Norris) mentioned to me on the way to the debate. We have also had contributions from my hon. Friends the Members for Rushcliffe (James Naish) and for North West Leicestershire (Amanda Hack) and from my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Michael Payne), who mentioned so many of his outstanding local groups. The hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), who is no longer in his place, made a good point about attracting more international visitors, a subject that I will touch on. Before I come to the substance of the debate, I want to acknowledge the comments from my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood Forest about the mineworkers’ pension scheme and the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. As the MP for Barnsley East and then for Barnsley South, I was proud to lead that campaign in Parliament over a number of years. It means that our constituents are between £30 and £100 a week better off, thanks to this Labour Government. It is not just a transformational figure for local areas; it is absolutely the right thing to do. It means that many of our constituents can spend money in the local economy, taking part in day trips and so on. The debate has underlined a point that the Government are very clear about: tourism is not a peripheral issue. It is a major economic sector, a significant employer and a powerful driver of growth across every nation and region of the UK. Nationally, tourism supports 1.3 million jobs and contributes more than £64 billion in gross value added to the economy. Beyond the numbers, the visitor economy plays a vital role in shaping how the UK is seen around the world, through our landscapes, our heritage, our creativity and our culture. It supports town centres, sustains rural economies, creates opportunities for young people and builds pride in place. My hon. Friend asked what the Government are doing to protect cultural assets. The Government have announced a £1.5 billion package to restore national pride, investing in cultural organisations over a five-year period and turning the corner on a decade of underfunding. That long-term commitment recognises that culture and heritage are not simply nice to have; they are essential infrastructure for thriving communities and a strong visitor economy. That is why the Government are committed to providing long-term strategic support for the visitor economy. Our ambition is for the UK to remain a world-class destination, attracting 50 million international visitors annually by 2030. Crucially, we are encouraging those visitors to travel more widely, stay longer and contribute to local economies across the country. That ambition will be set out in our forthcoming visitor economy growth strategy, which will focus on unlocking investment, supporting jobs and ensuring that tourism growth is competitive, sustainable and inclusive. I turn to the regional picture. The east midlands is a strong example of how tourism is being placed at the heart of growth and regeneration. The visitor economy is recognised as a core growth sector within the east midlands local growth plan. This reflects robust regional evidence showing that the visitor economy has the potential to generate at least £1 billion in additional economic growth. To drive delivery, partners across the region have established Visit East Midlands, providing strategic leadership and co-ordination across the local visitor economy partnerships and destination management organisations. I recognise the leadership of Mayor Claire Ward, who is championing the visitor economy as a central pillar of the region’s growth ambitions and ensuring that it receives the focus and visibility it deserves, as my hon. Friend the Member for Rushcliffe rightly outlined. That regional leadership is already translating into action. The East Midlands combined county authority recently launched the Centre of it All campaign, showcasing the region’s diverse visitor offer and reinforcing its position at the heart of the country. The campaign is being delivered in close co-operation with local visitor economy partnerships and destination organisations, ensuring a coherent and compelling offer to both domestic and international audiences. Those regional connections and that work, which my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire spoke about, are so important. The region is also strengthening its position through major events and sports tourism. Nottingham will host the European archery championships in 2028, an event that will not only bring significant economic benefits but connect powerfully to the Robin Hood story that defines Sherwood Forest. Through that work, the region is realising the full potential of the Robin Hood brand, developing regional and pan-regional itineraries and targeting key international markets, particularly the United States. Against that backdrop, Sherwood Forest stands out as a place of extraordinary national and international significance. Centuries in the making, the legend of Sherwood Forest continues to grow, with every generation adding to its legacy. Today, it is a remarkable destination, home to ancient woodland, rich biodiversity and one of the most enduring cultural narratives in the world. Some 350,000 people visit Sherwood Forest each year, drawn by its natural beauty, heritage and cultural power. Within the national nature reserve, 375 hectares of ancient woodland support hundreds of species—birds, insects, mammals and plants. Protecting this precious environment while ensuring it is accessible is exactly the balance that this Government want to support. I pay tribute to the Sherwood Forest Trust for its stewardship of this unique landscape, demonstrating how conservation, community engagement and tourism can reinforce one another. Its work closely aligns with VisitEngland’s regenerative tourism framework, which focuses on protecting natural assets while delivering lasting benefits for local communities. I am also very pleased to recognise Sherwood Forest Day on 20 February, which celebrates this world-famous historic forest and its global cultural significance. Moments like this strengthen local pride while shining a light on places of international importance, as my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood Forest outlined, particularly with the business breakfast and the events on 20 February. I wish those involved the very best of luck. As my hon. Friend highlighted, Sherwood’s story also contributes to the UK’s soft power. The legend of Robin Hood remains one of our most recognisable cultural exports, resonating through literature, film and television. Through VisitBritain’s “Starring GREAT Britain” campaign, we are using screen tourism to encourage visitors to explore more of the UK, and Sherwood Forest is a natural fit for that approach. My hon. Friend rightly raised the practical challenges facing the area and made a particular point about connectivity. Access matters for visitors, local residents and businesses. On her point about transport, the Government are introducing our integrated national transport strategy, which will place strong emphasis on connecting people to places of opportunity, heritage and culture, ensuring that transport investment supports regional growth, rural access and the visitor economy alongside commuting needs. We are working closely with the Department for Transport, the East Midlands combined authority and local partners to improve connectivity so that destinations such as Sherwood Forest are accessible both for those travelling further afield and for the communities on its doorstep. Supporting local businesses is equally critical. Tourism works best when it creates opportunities for people to live, work and build futures in their own communities. That is why we are addressing skills shortages, promoting apprenticeships and improving recruitment and retention across the sector, ensuring that young people can see tourism as a viable and rewarding career. Sherwood Forest is not just a place of extraordinary heritage. It is a living, evolving destination that contributes to regional growth, national identity and Britain’s global story. With continued partnership, investment and strategic support, it can continue to thrive for generations to come. Question put and agreed to.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Youth Activities · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. It was a pleasure to meet him yesterday to discuss a different issue. This is exactly why we have launched our national youth strategy—supporting young people with their mental health is an absolutely key part of that. I know how important that is, both as a former teacher and from my constituency.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Youth Activities · Hansard source

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  I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this important point. Everyone should have the opportunity to play sport and be physically active. We are committed to tackling persistent inequalities, especially for disabled people, an aim that is reinforced by Uniting the Movement, the 10-year strategy of our arm’s length body, Sport England. It ensures that its programmes directly impact disabled people through partnerships with a range of both disability and martial arts organisations and initiatives such as We Are Undefeatable, a campaign that supports the 15 million people who live with one or more long-term health condition in England to get active. I met Activity Alliance to discuss this issue a few months ago, and would be delighted to discuss it with my hon. Friend.