§ 26. Derek TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to improve the development of sport at grassroots level in areas of deprivation. [34255]
§ Mr. Caborn"A Sporting Future for All" (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, April 2000) set out the Government's strategy for sport, and formed the basis for the subsequent "Government's Plan for Sport". The strategy addresses all levels of sport, including the grassroots level, and both documents explore how sport can promote the social, economic and environmental well being of communities. More specifically, Sport England have launched a number of Sport Action Zones (SAZs) which, with assistance from lottery funding, are aiming to improve sports provision in deprived areas. To date £1.6 million has been invested in sport from partner funding as a result of SAZ initiatives. In addition, Sport England's Space for Sport and Arts programme is providing £130 million for new of modernised sport and arts facilities in 300 primary schools across the most deprived areas of 65 LEAs, and the level of multiple deprivation index accounted for 50 per cent. of the weighting when the New Opportunities Fund allocated its £581 million for new opportunities for PE and school sport to LEAs across England.