Question reference: S5W-32228
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 1 October 2020
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 27 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it plans to introduce to assist local and community sports clubs in allowing spectators back in, and what financial measures will be implemented to help mitigate the impact of lost revenue due to spectators not being permitted to attend games.
Answer
I know that this continues to be an enormously challenging time for the sporting sector and the pandemic has put a real financial strain on many sporting organisations.
sportscotland has supported the sector during the pandemic by providing upfront annual investment to Scottish governing bodies of sport and local partners and has also created an additional £1.5 million fund. However, I know that there are further financial issues for those sporting organisations who rely on income from spectators.
I met with the UK Minister for Sport, Heritage and Tourism on 1 October 2020 to discuss the financial package being developed by the UK Government to support those sporting organisations which are most affected by a delay of the return of spectators to stadia. We are still awaiting clarity on Barnett consequential funding to Scotland as a result of the UK Government scheme. However, in order that we will be in a position to move quickly once we receive further information from the UK Government, I have asked sportscotland to collect any additional financial information to ensure any support we put in place is properly targeted.
Sport brings enjoyment to the many people who watch and play, and we don’t want supporters to be delayed in returning for any longer than is absolutely necessary.