Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Uncertainty over 400m of Covid loans yet to be paid back

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 01 April 2025 16:03

There is a "high degree of uncertainty" over how much of the hundreds of millions of pounds lent to sports bodies during the Covid pandemic will be repaid, says an influential group of MPs.

In a report, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticises "severe weaknesses" in the way the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) handled the loans, and that it has been "overly optimistic" about repayments.

Between 2020 and 2022, the DCMS gave 474m to bodies in the sport and culture sectors to help them to survive lockdown, 218m was to sporting bodies with 124m supporting Premiership rugby union clubs.

But the cross-party PAC, which assesses value for taxpayers' money, says 400m is yet to be paid back, and less than half of borrowers had started repayments.

Nine bodies, which had collectively received 46m, have become insolvent.

That includes three rugby clubs - London Irish, Wasps and Worcester - with the DCMS saying it does not expect to recover up to 29m of the 41m it lent to them.

Amid concerns over the finances of the remaining top-flight teams, the MPs say that "future repayment is put at risk by the department's need to maintain the financial viability of the sectors to which it has given loans".

The PAC warned of a "gap in accountability to parliament" over the money lent to rugby union, due to "a conflict of interest" involving a senior civil servant's connections with the sport.

PAC chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said it was "right that government came forward with necessary support [but] not to provide a lifetime guarantee to institutions like rugby union which may be experiencing financial difficulties five years later".

"DCMS is inherently conflicted in the management of its Covid loan-book," he said. "As a lender, its priority will be to secure best value for the taxpayer from these loans. As a department, its priority is to do everything in its power to support a sector which has become its debtor."

In a statement, the DCMS said: "This government will always protect taxpayers' money and we are committed to recovering funds paid out under the previous administration. We have recovered 97% of repayments due and we are set to see all borrowers begin their repayments by later this year.

"Ministers and the department continue to actively engage with the chief executives of the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and Championship Rugby to support the ongoing sustainability of the sport.

"We will take time to consider the full contents of the report and will respond in due course."

Read 28 times

Soccer

Szczesny on smoking: Don't follow my example

Szczesny on smoking: Don't follow my example

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny told ESPN he has lost his ba...

Barcelona's Szczesny: Outspoken, unorthodox, on course for his best-ever season

Barcelona's Szczesny: Outspoken, unorthodox, on course for his best-ever season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBARCELONA -- Wojciech Szczesny wouldn't have believed you if you'd...

Source: Bayern's Müller rejects Cincinnati offer

Source: Bayern's Müller rejects Cincinnati offer

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBayern Munich midfielder/forward Thomas Müller has rejected a contr...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Tatum doubtful for Game 3, wrist bruise 'severe'

Tatum doubtful for Game 3, wrist bruise 'severe'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJayson Tatum remains listed as doubtful for the Boston Celtics, mea...

Kobe debut Lakers jersey sells for record $7M

Kobe debut Lakers jersey sells for record $7M

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA jersey photo-matched to seven games in Kobe Bryant's 1996-97 rook...

Baseball

Rays lose rookie OF Mangum to strained groin

Rays lose rookie OF Mangum to strained groin

EmailPrintPHOENIX -- The Tampa Bay Rays placed rookie outfielder Jake Mangum on the 10-day injured l...

Mets' McNeil back from season-opening IL stint

Mets' McNeil back from season-opening IL stint

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe New York Mets activated former batting champion Jeff McNeil fro...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated