Answers sought over £300m support deal

The Scottish Government is seeking urgent clarification on how a £300 million package for sport in England will transmit to finances available north of the border.

The UK Government has announced a funding package for several sports, which will come mainly in the form of loans.

Scotland will be due extra cash under the B a r n e tt Fo r m u l a for distributing expenditure, as a result of the extra measures.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “While many sporting organisations have been able to access wider support packages, p a r t i c u l a r l y, the job retention scheme and non-domestic rates relief, the Scottish Government will continue to work with the sector to ensure their long-term sustainability.”

Eleven sports in England will benefit from the funding with rugby union set to receive the biggest injection of £135 million.

Ho r s e racing will receive £4 0 m while English non-league football will receive £25m on top of £10m of National Lottery money previously earmarked for the National League.

Women’s football in England has been awarded £3m.

The Rugby Football League, the Lawn Tennis Association and England Netball will also benefit along with basketball, ice h o c k e y, mo t o r s p o r t , badminton and greyhound racing.

The package does not cover league football in England because the UK Government expects the Premier League to provide financial support to English Fo o t b a l l League clubs.