Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Conclusion 11
First Report - Safety at major sporting events
Published 29 Dec 2023
Paragraph 54
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 Government’s alcohol sale pilots should be undertaken alongside our recommended improved reporting of hate crime and antisocial behaviour at matches to ensure that the impacts are fully understood before any further decisions are taken on alcohol sales. It should take note of the reduced risk of alcohol-related disorder at events with smaller crowds such as non-League football matches.
From: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, First Report - Safety at major sporting events (HC 174), paragraph 54, 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.