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Sports Competitors: Health

Asked by Andrew GwynneIndependentDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled Answered 22 July 2025UIN 68386

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will (a) have discussions with Cabinet colleagues and (b) make it her policy to implement mandatory health screenings for people engaged in (a) professional and (b) semi-professional sports.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock

The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely paramount.

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and professional sports leagues where applicable are responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm. NGBs and sports leagues are independent of Government, but the Government expects them to make the health and safety of players their top priority.

The Government will continue to discuss athlete safety with sports and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.

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