§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what level of financial support was given by Sport England to the Football Association in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement on the purpose to which this expenditure is put. [133231]
§ Mr. CabornNone. All Sport England Lottery support for football is channelled through the Football Foundation, a partnership between the Government, the Football Association and the FA Premier League. The Foundation receives income from the three funding partners in roughly equal proportions. It received approximately £17 million from public sources in 2002–03. Sport England's contribution to the Foundation was £6 million in that year, the balance of the £17 million coming from the New Opportunities Fund and the Reduction in Pool Betting Duty.
75 per cent. of the Foundation's total income is used to develop grass roots football, the balance funding community and education projects, and essential ground safety work.