The chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, has warned that young girls in England face far too many obstacles when trying to take part in sport. In response, she is urging the government to scrap the long‑standing 3 pm television blackout that prevents live broadcasts of women’s football on Saturday afternoons. The Committee, which scrutinises government policy, spending and administration, recently published a comprehensive "Game On" report.
The document paints a mixed picture of how well community and school sport currently meets the needs of the English population. While some programmes are thriving, many others fall short, especially for school‑aged girls who often encounter cultural, logistical and structural hurdles that discourage them from staying active. Among the report’s many practical recommendations are measures designed to boost participation across all ages and to raise overall activity levels. A particular focus is placed on the unique challenges faced by girls in secondary education.
The Committee argues that the 3 pm Saturday blackout – a piece of legislation that dates back half a century and bans live broadcasts of any football match that kicks off at that time – is an outdated barrier that disproportionately harms the women’s game and, by extension, the girls who look up to its players. Evidence gathered during the inquiry shows a clear link between televised women’s sport and increased inspiration among girls. When young females see women competing on TV, they are more likely to feel motivated to try sports themselves, whether in school PE, local clubs or informal community settings.
The Committee therefore recommends that the blackout be lifted so that free‑to‑air channels can show women’s football during the coveted Saturday afternoon slot. In addition to the broadcasting issue, the Committee calls on the government to pass legislation requiring local councils and housing associations to remove "No Ball Games" signs from public open spaces and residential estates. Such signs effectively ban informal play and limit the availability of safe, accessible areas where children – especially girls – can engage in spontaneous sport and recreation. Speaking to Sky Sports about the breadth of the report, Dame Caroline highlighted the urgency of tackling the myriad barriers that keep people from participating in sport.
"We know that people in our nation love sport, but there are simply too many obstacles that stop them from getting up and trying it themselves," she said. "Whether it’s in schools, clubs or community settings, the hurdles are real." She noted a worrying trend: as children reach puberty, participation rates among girls begin to fall sharply. Many drop out of school‑based sport altogether, and some even miss school on days when sporting activities are scheduled.
"We need to change that trajectory," Dame Caroline asserted. Among the most ambitious proposals is the removal of the 3 pm blackout for women’s football. The blackout currently runs from roughly 2:45 pm to 5:15 pm on Saturdays, a period traditionally reserved for live men’s matches.
By freeing up this window for women’s games, the Committee believes the women’s game will gain a regular, high‑visibility slot that could attract new fans, sponsors and participants. The recommendation echoes earlier findings from the Karen Carney review, which also advocated for a dedicated broadcast slot for women’s football, and the FA has already acknowledged the potential benefits. The report also urges schools to adopt a more inclusive physical education (PE) curriculum that prioritises enjoyment, comfort and a welcoming atmosphere for all pupils. It calls for a minimum of two hours of high‑quality PE each week, with every student encouraged to be physically active for at least one hour daily.
To achieve these goals, teachers would need better training in inclusive PE delivery, and school uniform and kit policies should be revised to focus on comfort, dignity and accessibility – changes that would especially help girls and children with special educational needs (SEND) to take part confidently. Beyond the school environment, Dame Caroline pressed for stable, long‑term funding for both school‑based and community sport programmes.
She argued that investing in sport yields significant social and economic returns, including reduced pressure on health and welfare budgets. The Committee’s analysis shows that the United Kingdom currently spends only 0.3 percent of total government expenditure on sport and recreation, roughly £3.8 billion a year.
This figure lags behind the European average, and the Committee recommends doubling the share to at least 0.6 percent over the next decade – a rise to about £7.6 billion annually. By increasing investment, improving facilities, and implementing a cross‑government strategy for a healthier nation, the Committee believes England can close the participation gap, especially for girls, and foster a more active, inclusive society. The report concludes that a coordinated approach – combining policy reform, financial commitment, and cultural change – is essential to break down the entrenched barriers that keep many young women away from sport. In summary, the key take‑aways are: lift the 3 pm Saturday blackout on women’s football; eliminate "No Ball Games" signage on public land; mandate inclusive PE curricula with adequate weekly hours; provide better training and equipment policies for schools; and double public spending on sport and recreation.
If these measures are adopted, the Committee contends that England will see a measurable rise in participation, better health outcomes, and a stronger, more equitable sporting culture for future generations.