On Wednesday last week the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, presented the Autumn Statement to parliament, and with it his first detailed analysis, setting out his priorities for public spending and investment in the economy. It’s clear that spending on infrastructure and new homes will be his main focus. Locally and nationally, we need […]
As Chair of the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport, I want to talk briefly about its inquiry and to congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) on securing this debate on this important subject. When we look back at the incidence of racism in football, particularly in the 1970s and […]
Does the Secretary of State agree that the FA’s internal review must be a properly resourced investigation looking at the culture within football that allowed abuse to take place for so long and to go unreported and un-investigated for so long? Furthermore, does she agree that if the report is to have credibility, it must […]
I will try to adhere to your guidelines, Madam Deputy Speaker. I would like to speak to new clause 31, but first I want to congratulate the hon. Member for Washington and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson) on her campaigning over many years to deal with the abuses in the secondary ticketing market. I also want […]
The FA has been urged to reveal how it handled claims from footballers about sexual abuse after several former players revealed allegations of widespread abuse throughout the game. Kent MP and chair of the Commons culture, media and sport select committee Damian Collins today said the Football Association needed to show how it dealt with […]
On Monday this week I met with the Rail Minister Paul Maynard MP, and senior management from Network Rail and South Eastern trains, to discuss future investment for our region. The success of the High Speed rail link is clear for all to see, but one of the consequences of this is overcrowding. We need […]
The ticketing industry in the United Kingdom has become a national scandal. Fans are being ripped off left, right and centre if they want to buy tickets to see their favourite performers. When someone uses the term "tout", many people will instantly think of the shadowy figures found standing around concert venues and sports stadia calling out […]
The Government has announced its support for the expression of interest put forward by Shepway District Council, for the development of a garden town at Otterpool, the area to the south of junction 11 of the M20 motorway. This development could include up to 12,000 new homes, with starter homes, homes to rent and larger […]
Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that, in respect of the consultation that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has set out, we have to get the balance right between respecting the freedoms of the press and the rights of innocent people who have never sought publicity but who find themselves […]
FIFA's president has been urged to allow England and Scotland footballers to wear poppies on their shirts when the countries clash next week. A Kent MP waded into the row today writing to FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. Damian Collins, MP for Folkestone and Hythe and the new sports and culture select committee chair, wrote to […]