19 August 2023 , 23:01
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Ministers have been urged to protect the ‘Lioness legacy’ after the Government agreed to sell more than 75 school playing fields since 2015.
In a letter to the England squad, Rishi Sunak last night promised “every girl in this country will have access to all school sport, including football.” He added: “The full measure of your impact will be found in just how far women’s football can grow in the generations that follow.”
But analysis by the Liberal Democrats found almost 65,000 schoolchildren would be impacted by the field selloffs. The party’s Education spokesperson Munira Wilson accused the government of “squandering” the Lionesses’ legacy.
“Once again, Rishi Sunak and this Conservative Government are failing to deliver - unlike our Lionesses,” she said. “Too many children will be left watching from the sidelines as the Conservatives have allowed the sale of playing fields across England. How can we expect our children to grow up to be world-leading footballers, if they are never given the chance to try when they’re young?”
Essex was the worst affected area with 8,443 students affected across 7 schools. Lincolnshire had four schools affected with 2,889 students losing access to sports facilities.
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Ms Wilson added: “By allowing the sale of school fields to continue, Rishi Sunak risks squandering the legacy of our brilliant Lionesses. He must ensure that future generations have the facilities to be able to follow in their footsteps. It’s time for a game changer. Sunak must step in and get the ball rolling by ring-fencing funds to ensure every child has access to outdoor sports facilities.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “These figures do not represent schools selling off entire playing fields – the vast majority of sales are for small areas of existing fields or disposal of land which is no longer in use by a school. Schools and councils are only permitted to sell playing fields if it does not impact their curriculum and they have alternative playing fields or suitable facilities that can provide as good or greater access to sporting activity.
"Our £300 million investment in grassroots sport - and £600 million in sport and PE in school - is further increasing women and girls' access to sport and ensuring the game is accessible to all.”