Clive Efford MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Sport, commenting on Sport England’s decision to reduce funding to sports governing bodies which have failed to meet participation targets, said:

“Labour has been saying for some time that continuing to pour money into sport at the top through national governing bodies excludes many sports clubs and community organisations that could use the money more efficiently and achieve higher participations levels.

“Governing bodies have nothing to fear from this approach.

“Sport England must use the money it is taking away from FA and other sports governing bodies to drive forward more partnerships working across these sports at the grassroots.”