THE CONSERVATIVE MP for Bracknell has called for the Government to “do better” and “find some money” to help sports and leisure activities reopen.
James Sunderland, whose constituency includes Crowthorne, Finchampstead and Wokingham Without, told the House of Commons he’d like to see more support for the leisure sector last week.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 2, he urged the Government to consider moving the date outdoor sports can restart forward.
“Bracknell is blessed with some stunning golf courses of the highest quality, and it has been a real source of frustration to my constituents to see their sport lumped in with others,” he said.
“It is an outdoor sport and we can separate very easily, so let us get the courses open quickly, please. The same applies to grassroots sports, to tennis and to gymnasiums.
“Let us get our leisure activities up and running.”
Mr Sunderland also called for support for non-league football.
“A year down the line, clubs are still being asked to wait until May 17, before getting the fans back into their stadiums,” he said. “That is just too late.
“These clubs also need grants, not loans. It is essential that these lifeblood clubs are properly supported right across the community.”
He said it was “imperative” that pubs and restaurants are opened quickly, as well as cinemas, theatres and the wedding industry.
“The live music sector contributed£4.5 billion to the economy in 2019, supporting 210,000 jobs and providing £1.6 billion in VAT receipts,” he said.
“The sector is too valuable to stay closed. Let us please get it open.”
He suggested an extension of the 5% VAT rate for ticket sales, or a Government-backed insurance scheme, giving the industry confidence to book shows.
