DCMS plans merger of UK sporting bodies

DCMS - 26/07/10

The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media, Sport, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, today announced that he intends to make changes to a number of Arm’s Length Bodies which report to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Mr Hunt has proposed a number of changes, including merging UK Sport and Sport England, creating a more effective structure to deliver elite sport success and a wider sports legacy from the 2012 games. 

Some key functions carried out by these bodies would be transferred to other, existing organisations. DCMS will do further work over the summer to finalise the details and timing of these changes. It will also continue to look at its other arm’s length bodies and explore further opportunities to improve accountability and efficiency. 

Mr Hunt said: “The Government is committed to increasing the transparency and accountability of its public bodies, while at the same time reducing their number and cost. 

“Many of these bodies were set up a considerable length of time ago, and times and demands have changed. In the light of the current financial situation, and as part of our drive to increase openness and efficiency across Whitehall, it is the right time to look again at the role, size and scope of these organisations.

“The changes I have proposed today would help us deliver fantastic culture, media and sport, while ensuring value for money for the public and transparency about where taxpayers’ money is spent.”

Responding to the announcement, Richard Lewis, Sport England’s Chair, said: "Today’s statement builds upon the Minister’s previous announcement of the location of UK Sport and Sport England under a single roof.

"While it is too early to say what the further changes will mean, we are clear that any solution must be one which benefits sport as a whole, particularly as we approach the milestone of two years to go until the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"We hope that discussions over the summer with the Government, UK Sport and other Home Country Sports Councils will look at how best to maximise the combined expertise and efficiency of our organisations, while ensuring that our preparations to make the 2012 Games a real success for this country are not disrupted in any way."

Baroness Sue Campbell, UK Sport Chair, said: “The news that the Department is planning to merge UK Sport with Sport England goes further than we had previously expected.  What is crucial now is that all sides engaged in this decision understand not only the issues but also the risks involved in such a move.  We will as always play our part in seeking the best solution for sport and seeking to make the delivery system as efficient as possible. 

“But equally we are very aware not only of the existing effectiveness of our operation but the incredible strides  we have taken in high performance sport over the past decade, and the significant progress made in developing a system that is not only delivering results like those seen in Beijing but also making the UK the envy of the sporting world. With London 2012 on the horizon, it is vital that we continue to build on this and don’t distract preparations for home nation success in two year’s time.”