This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Petition Give British Basketball appropriate funding
British Basketball has been underfunded for years, leaving the professional league in the UK at an extremely precarious position during the current pandemic. I would like the government to give the BBL the requested 1 million pounds asked for by Sir Rodney Walker to survive the current situation.
More details
I would like the government to fulfil the basketball community’s request as basketball has been proven to be one of the most popular sports by participation. According to Statista, Rugby League had 62,000 participants playing it in the UK whereas Basketball had 280,000 participating in the UK. Rugby League was given 15 million pounds, basketball was given nothing. The loss of the league would be extremely detrimental to Basketball in the UK.
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months
Government responded
This response was given on 30 October 2020
The Government recognises the implications for sports clubs of not being able to admit spectators to stadia from 1 October, and are working urgently on what we can do now to support them.
Read the response in full
Sport clubs are the heart of our local communities and it is vital they are protected.
The Government gave unprecedented financial support to businesses through tax reliefs, cash grants and employee wage support, which many sports clubs have benefited from. Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund has also provided £210 million directly to support community sport clubs and exercise centres through this pandemic.
We know that the decision not to reopen stadia to spectators has had economic consequences for sports and clubs across the country who relied on those fans for income. We have asked sporting organisations, including the British Basketball League (BBL), for detailed financial returns to understand their particular pressures and challenges, and we will continue to design the package of support that will be available.
The Government was pleased that the BBL was able to confirm the start of its new season on 30th October.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Related activity
MPs debate Government support for culture, media and sport in light of covid-19
On 8 September, MPs debated the Government's spending on support measures for culture, media and sport during and after the covid-19 pandemic.
Watch the debate here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/0d08c5bb-04d0-4a34-b1d1-8efba0179f9c?in=14:36:54
Read the transcript of the debate here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-10-08/debates/4D1CBDF7-EC03-4509-90D0-C3214FAA33BE/DigitalCultureMediaAndSportSupportMeasures
###Further information
Find out how to get involved in the work of the UK Parliament: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/
Find out about the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/digital-culture-media-and-sport
Follow the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Twitter:
@CommonsDCMS
Ministerial statement on financial support for the sport sector
On Thursday 19 November, the Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage Nigel Huddleston MP gave a statement to the House of Commons on financial support for the sport sector.
You can watch the statement here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/a9bed331-34a0-4f31-bd03-1ee0bf912ebc?in=13:19:00&out=14:05:28
Ministerial statements are a way for Ministers to bring an important matter to the attention of the House, often at short notice. You can find out more about them here: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/statements/