The Department loaned £218 million in total to 83 sports bodies. Of this £124 million (57%) was loaned to the 13 clubs in the Premiership Rugby League, the top division of professional rugby union.49 We asked the Department whether it was appropriate to give so many loans to one professional sport. The Department told us that there had been no special treatment and it had used the same requirements for all applicants when awarding the loans. Applicants had to be financially solvent before COV...

The Department loaned £218 million in total to 83 sports bodies. Of this £124 million (57%) was loaned to the 13 clubs in the Premiership Rugby League, the top division of professional rugby union.49 We asked the Department whether it was appropriate to give so many loans to one professional sport. The Department told us that there had been no special treatment and it had used the same requirements for all applicants when awarding the loans. Applicants had to be financially solvent before COVID–19 and be able to repay the loans, they had to have exhausted all other commercial support, and they had to be important for the sustainability of the Type: conclusion | Number: 20 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: November 2025 5.2 Every borrower is treated in line with the department's loan book objectives. The department maintains regular communication with its borrowers through it