Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Conclusion 8
First Report - Safety at major sporting events
Published 29 Dec 2023
Paragraph 51
Addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Safety at major sporting events All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The evidence available on the impact of alcohol on disorder at football matches and for fans travelling on chartered services does not provide a compelling case either for the status quo or for a significant relaxation of the current legislation. We acknowledge football’s historic problems with alcohol consumption and anti- social behaviour, but we are also aware that this behaviour at sporting events is not unique to football and there are legitimate concerns that other sporting events are at risk of becoming unwelcoming environments as a result. We welcome that the Government has accepted a need for the review of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, which, alongside a responsible alcohol sale pilot scheme, provides an opportunity for comprehensive evidence gathering.
From: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, First Report - Safety at major sporting events (HC 174), paragraph 51, 29 December 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 8 March 2024 (deadline 29 February 2024).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government welcomes the Committee's report and says it will, "where appropriate", take concrete steps on many of its suggestions, while noting existing measures and in places pointing to the limits of what it can change.
- On police costs for Zone Ex, the government "understands" that forces cannot recover full costs, and says a return to pre-Ipswich levels "would require changes to primary legislation".
- On alcohol controls, it will "continue to keep alcohol controls under review" with the UKFPU, SGSA and The FA, and does not give a timing for a review of the 1985 Act.
- On stewarding, it "welcome[s]" the Committee's emphasis on training and "agree[s]" it is crucial. The Premier League and English Football League have agreed to fund a reform package of c. £1.5 million over three years.
- On Safety Advisory Groups, it points to existing guidance and says the absence of legislation allows flexibility, which it "believes" strikes a balance. It does not commit to updating the 1975 Act.