Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 23
First Report - Safety at major sporting events
Published 29 Dec 2023
Paragraph 104
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 ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
The Sports Ground Safety Authority, as the safety regulator of sports grounds in the UK, must do more promote the widening of accessibility and inclusion in stadium design. The SGSA’s current Green Guide, does not fairly promote accessibility and inclusion for all sports fans and the fundamental changes required should not be delayed until the next scheduled update of the Green Guide in 2028. The Sports Ground Safety Authority should bring forward an update to its Green Guide, including a requirement for new and redeveloped stadia to better accommodate all fans, including women and disabled people.
From: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, First Report - Safety at major sporting events (HC 174), paragraph 104, 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.