Sports Minister to face questions on brain injury in sport and support for grassroots sport

The Minister for Sport Nigel Huddleston will be questioned on Tuesday, May 25 by MPs on the management and treatment of concussion in sport.

The final session of this inquiry will examine how the Government is addressing evidence on the links between head trauma in sport and dementia in later life and the calls for changes to be made in sport.

MPs will explore the funding and coordination of research into this area, whether there is enough awareness of risks in youth, grassroots and elite level sport and whether there needs to be a unified approach to medical advice and treatment of concussion across all sports.

The Minister will also be questioned on the effectiveness of Government support for grassroots sport during the pandemic, in the second part of the session from approximately 11am. This will form the final part of the inquiry into sport in our communities and will ask questions on the funding and governance structures for grassroots sport clubs, with the financial viability of many in doubt even before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Witnesses from 10.00:

• Nigel Huddleston MP, Minister for Sport and Tourism, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
• Ben Dean, Director, Sport, Gambling and Ceremonials, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport  

Further information: 

- The DCMS Committee’s inquiry into concussion in sport has heard testimony from major sporting organisations, sportspeople, their representatives and families, doctors and medical experts, campaigners, governing bodies and sports funding organisations. Find the transcripts and recordings here.

- The inquiry into sport in our communities has been investigating the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on grassroots sport and what measures are needed to ensure the sector’s survival. The Committee heard from sports volunteers and coaches, academics, venues, trade and industry bodies, governing bodies. Find the transcripts and recordings here.

Committee membership: 

Julian Knight MP (Chair) (Conservative, Solihull); Kevin Brennan MP (Labour, Cardiff West); Steve Brine MP (Conservative, Winchester); Alex Davies-Jones MP (Labour, Pontypridd); Clive Efford MP (Labour, Eltham); Julie Elliott MP (Labour, Sunderland Central); Rt Hon Damian Green MP (Conservative, Ashford); Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP (Conservative, East Hampshire); John Nicolson MP (Scottish National Party, Ochil and South Perthshire); Giles Watling MP (Conservative, Clacton); Mrs Heather Wheeler MP (Conservative, South Derbyshire).