Member

I hope I can reassure the noble Baroness that the provisions in the Bill as drafted already enable all the scenarios she lists, including the Cultural Olympiad, to be captured where appropriate. The framework is flexible enough to capture all qualifying stages of any sporting event. Clause 24 expressly states that sporting events include the opening and closing ceremonies. In addition, Clause 2 sets out that the framework may be applied to connected events and makes clear that these can be sporting or non-sporting events, such as cultural events, so long as they are held in connection with the main event to which the regulations have been applied. While I recognise the intention behind the amendment and share the view that wider cultural and associated activity can be an important part of a major sporting event, I do not think this amendment is required.