To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions
she has had with UK Athletics on the resignation of both the Chief Executive and Performance
Director of that body on 20 October 2021.
<p>Ministers have had no direct discussions with UK Athletics since October 2021.
This relationship is managed by UK Sport who keep the government closely sighted on
issues through Board meetings and regular engagement with Ministers and officials.</p><p>The
Department is confident that fair and proper processes are in place to ensure the
best candidates possible are appointed to leadership roles in National Governing Bodies
which are funded by UK Sport.</p><p> </p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the
Answer of to Question 56576, if he will make an assessment of the implications for
his policies of the interview conducted by the Sports Councils Equality Group as part
of the evaluation of Guidance for Transgender Inclusion in Domestic Sport 2021, published
September 2021, that revealed problems with (a) intimidation, (b) threats of non-selection
and (c) sanctions aimed at individuals in UK sports organisations that support fair
sport.
<p>The government is clear that there is no place for discrimination or intimidation
in any sport, at any level. The Sports Councils Equality Group (SCEG) transgender
inclusion guidance is intended to help provide support and clarity for National Governing
Bodies operating in a complex environment. The review was carried out in recognition
that the previous guidance was outdated and that sport at every level required more
practical advice and support.</p><p>With reference to the answer provided on 18th
October 2021 to questions 56575-56576, the SCEG guidance provides a decision making
framework and a variety of different approaches for the National Governing Bodies
of each sport to define the best options for their sport, subject to their assessment
of inclusion, fairness and safety.</p><p>Sports governing bodies each have their own
rules on transgender issues and it is appropriate that they can determine the right
position for their own sport.</p><p>The Sports Councils are not regulators of sport,
and the SCEG document serves as guidance that is independent from funding. The expectations
for sporting organisations that receive public funding are set out in the Code for
Sport Governance.</p><p>The government will continue to work through our arm’s length
bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, to support National Governing Bodies in reviewing
their policies for their sport.</p><p> </p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions
he has had with Sport England and UK Sport on the future funding of national governing
bodies that do not follow the Sports Councils Equality Group Guidance for Transgender
Inclusion in Domestic Sport 2021 on how to review their policies.
<p>The government is clear that there is no place for discrimination or intimidation
in any sport, at any level. The Sports Councils Equality Group (SCEG) transgender
inclusion guidance is intended to help provide support and clarity for National Governing
Bodies operating in a complex environment. The review was carried out in recognition
that the previous guidance was outdated and that sport at every level required more
practical advice and support.</p><p>With reference to the answer provided on 18th
October 2021 to questions 56575-56576, the SCEG guidance provides a decision making
framework and a variety of different approaches for the National Governing Bodies
of each sport to define the best options for their sport, subject to their assessment
of inclusion, fairness and safety.</p><p>Sports governing bodies each have their own
rules on transgender issues and it is appropriate that they can determine the right
position for their own sport.</p><p>The Sports Councils are not regulators of sport,
and the SCEG document serves as guidance that is independent from funding. The expectations
for sporting organisations that receive public funding are set out in the Code for
Sport Governance.</p><p>The government will continue to work through our arm’s length
bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, to support National Governing Bodies in reviewing
their policies for their sport.</p><p> </p>
