Following the cabinet reshuffle this week there is now a new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in the shape of the Rt Hon Maria Miller MP.
Sport and Recreation Alliance Chair, Andy Reed OBE, has written to the Secretary of State, welcoming her to the job, and also to Hugh Robertson MP, congratulating him on his elevation to Minister of State. Andy Reed hopes that the strong relationship the Alliance has with DCMS continues.
“We are keen to continue our close working relationship with the department. Our review of red tape holding back sports clubs and the creation of our Voluntary Code on Good Governance are two examples of where our partnership with DCMS has delivered significant benefits to the sector.
“It is an exciting year ahead and we will all be working hard to maintain the momentum of London 2012.”
The Alliance’s chief executive, Tim Lamb, also wrote to the departing Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and new Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, expressing the Alliance’s hopes that the new health secretary will continue his commitment to sport in his new department. Tim Lamb said:
“In his previous role Jeremy Hunt will have gained a full appreciation of the unquestionable health benefits of regular sport and physical recreation. I hope that his experience as Culture Secretary will only further consolidate the Department of Health's commitment to promoting and extending opportunities for physical activity.”
The Rt Hon Hugh Robertson also received a promotion and is now the Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Andy Reed said:
“This is a well-deserved and timely recognition of Hugh's success to date, and we are very glad to see that the Department will continue to benefit from his experience and expertise.
“This continuity will be essential when it comes to delivering a lasting legacy from London 2012, and offers the opportunity for DCMS to build on the progress it has made in other areas, such as increasing lottery funding and developing whole sport plans.”
If you would like to know more about how the reshuffle might impact upon the sport and recreation sector, please contact our Parliamentary Liaison Officer Simon Butler. You can also view Simon's blog on the 2012 cabinet reshuffle.
