§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the funds available to Sport England to support voluntary sector sports clubs over the next five years. [8756]
§ Mr. CabornSport England estimates that it will distribute approximately £1 billion over the next five years from the Lottery Sports Fund, of which over two thirds will go to community projects, many of which involve voluntary sector sports clubs. The amount distributed will be dependent on the amount generated by the National Lottery.
Exchequer funding for Sport England has been set at £43.025 million in 2001–2002, £53.275 million in 2002–2003, and £78.275 million in 2003–2004. Sport England will allocate grants from its exchequer income to governing bodies of sport, who can invest in the development of clubs, community sports programmes and volunteers.
In addition, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget Statement, the Government will shortly be consulting on proposals to introduce relief from some taxes for those amateur sports clubs which play a role in their community. This will give further assistance to the volunteers who are the backbone of these clubs and encourage more young people to volunteer their services in support of such clubs.