§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of financial pressures on small football clubs which receive funding from her Department and its agencies. [122830]
§ Mr. CabornThe Government do not subsidise the sporting or business activities of professional football clubs from public funds, either directly or through its agencies. Public funding to football is channelled through the Football Foundation, and is used for grassroots development, community and education projects, and essential stadium safety work. The Government agreed to the Foundation making a £20 million grant to Football League clubs last November, on the conditions that it was made entirely from the contributions of the Football Association and the FA Premier League, and that the Foundation's funding activities in other areas would not be adversely affected.
The Government are encouraging local communities to come to the assistance of struggling football clubs through the work of Supporters Direct. Supporters Direct is wholly funded from public sources under the Reduction in Pool Betting Duty.