Lucy Frazer named UK culture secretary as DCMS gets new, more sports-focused remit

Lucy Frazer has replaced Michelle Donelan as culture secretary at the UK’s newly-named Department for Culture, Media and Sport. She becomes the eleventh culture secretary in eleven years.

“Absolutely delighted to be appointed Secretary of State at the department of Culture, Media and Sport,” wrote Frazer in a Twitter post. “Such a critical dept in Whitehall, and the home of some of the most exciting and fastest growing parts of the UK economy – so can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle comes with the reshaping of four departments.

It brings a new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology department (DSIT), which refocuses the DCMS to Culture, Media and Sport by removing digital from its remit. This is intended to “recognise the importance of these industries to our economy”.

Sunak also overhauled the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to create a separate department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Grant Shapps has been announced as energy secretary.

The government said in a statement: “The move recognises the significant impact rising prices have had on households across the country as a result of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, and the need to secure more energy from domestic nuclear and renewable sources as we seize the opportunities of net zero.”

The break up results in a combined department for Business and Trade that the government pledges “will support growth by backing British businesses”.

The physical activity sector is hopeful this new focus on energy, business growth and sport will lead the government to act on the industry’s pleas for energy bills support.

The government recently scaled back its support for businesses battling the energy crisis despite pool closures already occurring. Data shows that three quarters (74 per cent) are predicted to close or reduce services by 31 March 2024 if the current situation continues. The government failed to classify the sector as an Energy and Trade Intensive Industry (ETII), causing dismay because establishments such as museums were granted ETII status.

“The failure to categorise certain services, especially swimming pools, as ‘intensive’ energy users requiring more bespoke support is a significant oversight given the overwhelming evidence provided to the government on their energy use,” said Huw Edwards, CEO of UK Active in response.

UK Active, along with Active Partnerships, CIMSPA, the Local Government Association, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the Sport for Development Coalition, Swim England and the Youth Sport Trust issued a joint statement highlighting the need for economic support as part of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS).

The lobby group asked the government to reclassify swimming pools as energy intensive and provide support to gyms, leisure centres, sports facilities and clubs. According to the group, failure to do so will lead to facility closures on a national level across 2023.