Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 4
Sixth Report - Current issues in rugby union
Published 17 Jan 2023
Paragraph 14
Addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Current issues in rugby union All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
We await the publication of the RFU annual report. We recommend that when the annual report is published, the RFU writes to us with a detailed commentary of its financial position and what steps it will be taking to prevent further clubs collapsing, with consequent damage done to players, staff and local communities.
From: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Sixth Report - Current issues in rugby union (HC 1018), paragraph 14, 17 January 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 14 March 2023 (deadline 17 March 2023).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government welcomes the Committee's recommendations and notes that responsibility for them "sits with the rugby authorities", while saying it expects governance reforms and is in close communication with the RFU and PRL.
- On governance, the Government states it has "been clear that we expect to see governance reforms that include stronger financial regulations and Owners’ and Directors’ Tests", and says it "believe[s]" the rugby authorities are willing to do so.
- On player welfare, the Government "encourages" the PRL and RFU to "explore options" for a benevolence fund and engagement with the Rugby Players Association.
- On concussion, DCMS is working with stakeholders to develop a single set of shared protocols across the UK, which "will be published in the near future".
- On finances, the Government "noted" the Committee's comments and says the Sports Survival Package gave clubs "generous financial support" during the pandemic.