§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support she makes available for(a) community football and (b) other sports-related activities; what Government funding such schemes will receive in each Government Office region in 2003–04; and if she will make a statement. [121634]
§ Mr. CabornThe Lottery sports fund has made awards totalling over £1.5 billion for community sport projects since 1995, including £83,879,701 for community football. Funding is dependent on Lottery income and is not allocated against Government Office Regions. Applications are assessed on their merits as they are received
The Football Foundation funds community football schemes as part of its work in the development of grass roots football. In addition to substantial contributions from the FA and the Premier League, the Foundation will receive a minimum of £62 million in public funding over the period 2000–04, from Sport England, the New Opportunities Fund and the Reduction in Pool Betting Duty. The level of public funding to the Foundation for 2003–04 will depend on the level of Pool Betting Duty receipts, but is expected to total £17 million. This is not allocated by reference to Government Office regions.
243WIn addition to the The New Opportunities Fund's contribution to the football foundation the New Opportunities PE and Sport Programme will provide £581 million in England for school sports facilities, including a £25 million contribution to the Space for Sports and the Arts scheme. Some facilities will include community football. Provisional funding has been allocated to each Local Education Authority area and awards will be made once NOF staff have assessed individual applications. A regional breakdown of the provisional allocation is as follows:
£ million Region Totals Eastern 38 East Midlands 39.8 London 81.3 North East 37.9 North West 89.4 South East 51.8 South West 35.6 West Midlands 61.3 Yorkshire 60.1 Total 495.3 The Space for Sport and the Arts programme will support the development of quality spaces and facilities for sports and arts activities in primary schools for school and community use. The programme covers a variety of sports activities, including community football. Between October 2001–March 2004 the regional allocations set out in the following table have been made:
Region Allocation (£) East 7,750,000 South East 10,150,000 East Midlands 14,000,000 South West 9,525,000 West Midlands 11,000,000 London 18,750,000 Yorkshire 15,450,000 North East 21,550,000 North West 23,025,000 Total 131,200,000 Exchequer spending through Sport England in 2003–04 is planned to be £49.8 million. Within this total, spending on community football or by region cannot be separately identified.