Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
Paragraph: 74
Develop and publish minimum stewarding standards in consultation with major sporting events stakeholders
Recommendation
Stewards, employers and fans would all benefit from clarity on the roles, responsibilities and standards for stewards. We recommend that the Sports Ground Safety Authority should develop and publish minimum expectations for stewarding standards in consultation with all those involved in major sporting events.
Government Response Summary
The government outlined existing standards and a comprehensive plan developed by the SGSA's Working Group to raise stewarding standards in football, funded by the Premier League and EFL. This plan includes improved training, professional development, and a national register for stewards.
Paragraph Reference:
74
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
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.