Lord Grantchester (Lab)

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend the Minister and commend the excellent work of her officials in her department’s Bill team on the amendments returned from the Commons that clarify and tidy provisions in the Bill. I congratulate them especially on where the Bill has been strengthened; this version is much improved from the previous Government’s drafting. I declare an interest from my past experiences, involvement, responsibilities and connections with Everton Football Club. While transparency has been improved by these amendments, I am grateful that the exaggerated perils claimed from the Opposition Benches have continued to be resisted. These proposals will bring a more amicable resolution of the backstop. I am confident that the Bill will prove effective in including parachute payments within the remit of the regulator, as, without their inclusion, the regulator’s ability to view the financial stability and resilience of the whole football pyramid would be substantially impaired. These amendments will reduce the risk and uncertainty in the backstop mechanism. A light touch does not signify a lack of application in maintaining vigilance across the pyramid, especially down through the leagues, where the predominance of more maverick owners has tended to congregate. However, there are other features that must be mentioned. That the regulator is fully independent of government should reassure all fans, especially now that the regulator is no longer required to consider government policies on trade and international markets. Fans will expect a rigid level playing field between clubs to be scrupulously maintained and will be encouraged that fan representatives will be democratically endorsed independently from their clubs. Meaningful engagement of fans will ensure that the heritage provisions of the Bill will not be undermined. I too welcome the appointment of David Kogan as the first football regulator. Although he is yet to take up his post officially, it is imperative that the work begins and that swift progress is made on the state of the game report—the next milestone in this legislation’s effectiveness. May I tempt my noble friend the Minister to confirm that David Kogan has already been able to identify his team and is already drawing up proposals to begin the necessary processes to start immediately on Royal Assent?