Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 73
Stewards are crucial for safety and require better treatment and appropriate wages
Conclusion
Stewards should not be seen merely as volunteers or fans who get to see the game for free. They are crucial to the safety of all sporting events and their responsibilities have grown over the years. The resources available to all major UK sports should 34 Safety at major sporting events allow for the better treatment of stewards, including an appropriate wage for the demanding and often stressful job it can be, both as a reward for the work they do and to encourage recruitment and retention of experience stewards. We welcome that some sports, such as cricket and horseracing appear to be recognising this need.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the importance of steward training and spectator safety, outlining existing standards and a comprehensive plan by SGSA's Working Group to raise stewarding standards in football, focusing on training, professional development, and a national register.
Paragraph Reference:
73
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We welcome the Committee’s emphasis on steward training and agree that this is crucial for ensuring spectator safety. The National Occupational Standards for spectator safety were reviewed with industry and updated in 2019; there are provisions on stewarding in the Green Guide published by SGSA; and in 2023, we published a set of factsheets produced by SGSA which set out in clear terms the key issues for sports venues in relation to stewarding, including guidance on roles and responsibilities. The SGSA’s Working Group has developed a comprehensive plan to raise standards of stewarding in football - the Premier League and English Football League have subsequently agreed to fund a multipronged reform package at c. £1.5 million over a three year period to: improve the quality and consistency of training; ensure stewards have access to continuing professional development; develop a national register of event stewards working within football; and to improve the strategic relationship between football and the supply industry. Ministers will continue to engage with industry in this space as the project develops.