I welcome today the Government’s rescue package of £16 million to safeguard the immediate future of Rugby League. It’s great news and a good initial boost for the sport, which is doing so much to help people here in our St Helens communities and across the country.

In early April, myself and Marie Rimmer MP, as St Helens MPs, wrote to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP to stress the cultural and economic force for good of Rugby League in Northern towns like St Helens, all while highlighting the danger to the game’s survival in light of the Covid-19 crisis, which has seen stadium doors close and revenue streams fall.

Whilst it’s encouraging to see Ministers now addressing our concerns, it’s equally vital they keep this support under review going forward; responding to the evolving needs of local clubs and the Rugby Football League in order to truly guarantee the longevity of the game.