Contributions
1,554 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that comment. The intention of the regulatory principle is not to list every possible stakeholder that the regulator should ever engage during…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield South East and the hon. Member for Cheltenham for tabling new clauses 2 and 6. The Government recognise the intent behind them, and…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)That is a really good question. The regulator can engage with clubs outside of scope, such as those in the National League North and South, to assist with the application process.…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)I take that point, but both the hon. Gentlemen stood on a manifesto that committed to introducing the Bill.05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)To ensure that the regulatory regime is as effective and efficient as possible, the football industry needs to understand what is expected of it. That is why this clause empowers…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)The state of the game report will allow the regulator to better understand the finances and economics of the industry and its individual clubs. This, in turn, will inform the…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)Indeed, a number of Conservative Members are on record as supporting this policy; it is just sad that the ones sitting opposite seem to have forgotten the manifesto they stood on.05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)Yes, the regulator has the ability to address distribution in the sector if the current scenario reaches the threshold. We will come on to discuss that in part 6. I was going to…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)The amendments from the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup regarding ticket pricing touch on an important issue that I recognise is very important to fans. I reassure fans that…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair and to serve under your chairship this afternoon, Ms Butler. I thank my hon. Friend for his amendment. The state of the game report will…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)I can absolutely. I said I did not want to be drawn on the specifics of the statement; I do not want to pre-empt what is in there, but I tried to give an illustration without…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)I remind the hon. Gentleman that part of the purpose of a Bill Committee is to give our intention as Parliament. Yes, I can give those assurances and I have done so at every step…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)Yes, absolutely. We have talked about light-touch regulation throughout the Bill. The regulator has the ability to go sooner, in both its first report and subsequent ones, so we…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)Clause 14 requires the regulator to report annually to Parliament on its activity for that year. As with all public bodies, the regulator must arrange for the report to be laid…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)The state of the game report is expected to be a key piece of work that the regulator produces on the basis of extensive research and consultation. The Bill sets out a few…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)The clause introduces the licensing system. One of the regulator’s main responsibilities will be to operate a licensing system for football clubs through which the majority of its…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)I do not believe so. I have written to the shadow Minister and will double-check the correspondence. The report will help to ensure that the regulator captures all relevant…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)Standardisation is not appropriate in this context, because the extra information may relate to discretionary licence terms, which will be tailored to a club. It is therefore not…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)Of course. The shadow Minister referred more than once to clubs not being able to play. As I said, this is an advocacy-first approach; the regulator will work with clubs to make…05 Jun 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [Lords] (Fourth sitting)I am grateful to the shadow Minister for his comments. A number of the points that he made have been well debated over the last few days in Committee, so I will not be engaging in…05 Jun 2025