James Grundy (Leigh) (Con) [V]: During a recent meeting with Leigh
Miners Rangers rugby league club, I was pleased to learn of its bid
for rugby league world cup legacy funding to help improve its
sporting facilities for children and young people in my
constituency. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this funding
would be transformative for my constituency? May I also ask him for
a debate on the cultural and economic importance of rugby league to
regeneration in deprived communities in the...Request free trial
(Leigh) (Con)
[V]: During a recent meeting with Leigh Miners Rangers
rugby league club, I was pleased to learn of its bid for rugby
league world cup legacy funding to help improve its sporting
facilities for children and young people in my constituency. Does
my right hon. Friend agree that this funding would be
transformative for my constituency? May I also ask him for a debate
on the cultural and economic importance of rugby league to
regeneration in deprived communities in the north-west of
England?
Mr Speaker: I would expect nothing else from the
Leader of the House.
Mr Rees-Mogg: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am
grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the issue of the work done
by his local rugby league club for the people of Leigh. Sports
clubs often show some of the greatest community spirit, and we
should commend the many thousands of people who volunteer for them
and offer local children, especially, a rich and rewarding
experience. The Government have worked with Sport
England to agree a £220 million package of support to help
community clubs throughout the crisis. Sport
England has also committed an additional £50 million to
help grassroots sports clubs and organisations. We have provided
£100 million of taxpayers’ money to further support local authority
leisure centres, alongside £300 million to support professional
sport through the winter. In addition, there is a £16 million loan
scheme for rugby league. So may I congratulate my hon. Friend and
Leigh Miners Rangers rugby league club on the work that they both
do?
