Recommendation 5

HM Government Acknowledged

The Government shares the Committee’s view that major events offer valuable opportunities to foster constructive dialogue on important issues, and can provide a focal point to consider social issues if handled sensitively. For instance, in February 2022 the Commonwealth Games Federation unveiled its Athlete Advocacy Guiding Principles for competitors at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with the aim of helping to strengthen the athlete voice across Commonwealth Sport. These principles will give athletes from all across the Commonwealth a voice and a platform to be heard on issues that are important to them, while being respectful of others. The Birmingham 2022 Festival will also offer a space for artists, creatives and communities to come together with programming promoting LGBT+ inclusion, gender equality and exploring conversations around colonial legacy. Pride House Birmingham will create a safe space and welcoming, inclusive environment for LGBT+ supporters, athletes, staff, volunteers and organisations at the Games with a physical presence and virtual offerings. As a further example, the titleholders of the UK City of Culture competition have also successfully examined difficult subjects, enabling audiences to engage and reflect on these issues. For example, Coventry City of Culture Trust delivered ‘Coventry Welcomes’, a series of events to explore the lives of those seeking sanctuary and those who have welcomed them, delivered in collaboration with over 30 partner organisations. The Trust, with national agencies and Coventry City Council, hosted the first UK Arts & Homelessness Festival, and with Positive Youth Foundation supported young people from across the city to co-create the landmark CVX Festival. Major sporting events can also be instrumental in addressing real issues faced in different areas, build community pride and reach across all parts of the UK. For example, the Rugby League World Cup being held later this year is sending a strong message about the importance of equality and accessibility across the sport, by hosting the women’s, men’s and wheelchair competition concurrently for the first time ever. The delivery of the tournament is also supported by a range of accessible volunteering opportunities for people who have care and support needs, aimed at promoting independence. The Rugby League World Cup is also delivering approximately £20 million into facilities upgrade projects in the host towns and cities, primarily based in the North of England as the heartland of the sport. 51% of this investment is going into areas of high socio- economic deprivation and is making a real difference in communities. The Rugby League World Cup also has a mental health charter, delivering mental health fitness sessions to 8,000 rugby league players and their families, seeking to destigmatize and address mental health issues. DCMS will continue to work closely with UK Sport to prioritise those events that maximise not only economic outcomes, but also wider social benefits, such as volunteering, community development and physical and mental wellbeing. As part of this, we are committed to working with event organisers to identify and address specific areas that are important to the community in which major events are held.