The Government recognises the strength of feeling following the 2026 World Cup semi-final match, including in regard to the banner referencing the Falkland Islands. The behaviour of members of the Argentine team on that occasion was unfortunate and disappointing. The UK's position on the Falkland Islands is unwavering. The Islands are British and will remain so. Self-determination rests with the islanders and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.

Disciplinary matters arising from FIFA competitions are for FIFA to consider and we welcome the sanctions imposed by FIFA in relation to this incident on the Argentinian Football Association.

T7

.

Gordon McKee (Glasgow South) (Lab):

Football is not the private property of Gianni Infantino or a handful of rich and powerful men; it belongs to the billions of people who watch it, play it and enjoy it. Given that UEFA is proposing to make a criminal complaint about the conduct of FIFA’s leadership, will the Minister join me and others in calling for a genuinely independent investigation into FIFA’s decision to try to sell off the world cup?

I absolutely, 100% agree with my hon. Friend that football belongs to its fans. For far too long, fans have been treated as at best an afterthought and at worst a nuisance when it comes to the future of their own clubs, their own tournaments and their own game. As a Government, we are appalled by what happened recently regarding the world cup, and the Prime Minister has been crystal clear that it is time for a change of leadership at FIFA.

The Immigration Rules provide for the cancellation of entry clearance, permission to enter and permission to stay on suitability grounds, regardless of the category in which an individual makes an application.

A person’s permission to enter or stay will usually be cancelled if the person’s character, conduct, or associations mean it is undesirable for them to enter or stay in the UK. The Home Office does not routinely comment on individual cases.

The Government looks to FIFA to investigate the issue and take action in accordance with its tournament rules.

The government is committed to making it easier for hospitality businesses to make use of outdoor space by extending the current maximum duration of pavement licences beyond the current standard two-year period, and consulting on the case for a minimum term length.

The details of these reforms will be developed in collaboration with local government and industry and further detail will be set out in due course.

Local licensing authorities are often best placed to make licensing decisions based on their local knowledge and we encourage local authorities to set them appropriately for their area. They will continue to play a central role in the pavement licensing system, including determining the duration of individual licences.

I have been careful not to tempt fate and jinx the result. I am a passionate Arsenal and England supporter and have watched many games with agonising moments; on the question of a bank holiday, the hon. Gentleman should ask again on Sunday.

Q10

.

Mr Will Forster (Woking) (LD):

We have all enjoyed watching England’s success in the world cup in the last few weeks. As his last act as Prime Minister before leaving office, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree to grant us a bank holiday so that we can celebrate England’s win?

We are committed to taking action on the illegal gambling market. In the past year, we have established the Illegal Gambling Taskforce, which includes working with payment providers to help tackle the issue of payments relating to illegal gambling. We plan to report on the progress made by the Illegal Gambling Taskforce once it has completed its first year.

Estimating the size of the illegal market is made more difficult due to the changing nature of sites and channels through which customers are able to access illegal activity. The Gambling Commission is working to improve its evidence base around the illegal market. Last year the Commission was allocated an additional £26 million over the next three years to further tackle illegal gambling. We will continue to monitor any reports or findings regarding the prevalence of illegal gambling, including during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The government published details of behavioural costings assumptions relating to the gambling duty changes at Budget 2025. These assumptions capture the impact of an overall reduction in demand as a result of higher duty rates. The Office for Budget Responsibility also published details in their November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

We are committed to taking action on the illegal gambling market. In the past year, we have established the Illegal Gambling Taskforce, which includes working with payment providers to help tackle the issue of payments relating to illegal gambling. We plan to report on the progress made by the Illegal Gambling Taskforce once it has completed its first year.

Estimating the size of the illegal market is made more difficult due to the changing nature of sites and channels through which customers are able to access illegal activity. The Gambling Commission is working to improve its evidence base around the illegal market. Last year the Commission was allocated an additional £26 million over the next three years to further tackle illegal gambling. We will continue to monitor any reports or findings regarding the prevalence of illegal gambling, including during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The government published details of behavioural costings assumptions relating to the gambling duty changes at Budget 2025. These assumptions capture the impact of an overall reduction in demand as a result of higher duty rates. The Office for Budget Responsibility also published details in their November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

We are committed to taking action on the illegal gambling market. In the past year, we have established the Illegal Gambling Taskforce, which includes working with payment providers to help tackle the issue of payments relating to illegal gambling. We plan to report on the progress made by the Illegal Gambling Taskforce once it has completed its first year.

Estimating the size of the illegal market is made more difficult due to the changing nature of sites and channels through which customers are able to access illegal activity. The Gambling Commission is working to improve its evidence base around the illegal market. Last year the Commission was allocated an additional £26 million over the next three years to further tackle illegal gambling. We will continue to monitor any reports or findings regarding the prevalence of illegal gambling, including during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The government published details of behavioural costings assumptions relating to the gambling duty changes at Budget 2025. These assumptions capture the impact of an overall reduction in demand as a result of higher duty rates. The Office for Budget Responsibility also published details in their November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

We are committed to taking action on the illegal gambling market. In the past year, we have established the Illegal Gambling Taskforce, which includes working with payment providers to help tackle the issue of payments relating to illegal gambling. We plan to report on the progress made by the Illegal Gambling Taskforce once it has completed its first year.

Estimating the size of the illegal market is made more difficult due to the changing nature of sites and channels through which customers are able to access illegal activity. The Gambling Commission is working to improve its evidence base around the illegal market. Last year the Commission was allocated an additional £26 million over the next three years to further tackle illegal gambling. We will continue to monitor any reports or findings regarding the prevalence of illegal gambling, including during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The government published details of behavioural costings assumptions relating to the gambling duty changes at Budget 2025. These assumptions capture the impact of an overall reduction in demand as a result of higher duty rates. The Office for Budget Responsibility also published details in their November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

I thought the next few weeks were about to get quite interesting, Mr Speaker. We all wish England the best of luck this evening. Every time those players step on to the pitch, they represent the talent, ambition and diversity of this country. We are proud to be supporting the next generation, investing £400 million in grassroots facilities and over £1 billion in school sports. And if Thomas Tuchel needs any advice on penalties, he should ask David Seaman, who slotted one past him just a few weeks ago.

Q4

.

Alex Ballinger (Halesowen) (Lab):

I associate myself with the Prime Minister’s comments on the legacy of Jo Cox.

I know that all of us in this place have been following the contest for No. 10 quite closely in recent weeks, but amid the north versus south debate, I think it is about time we had someone from the midlands who was ready to step into this important position for our country. [Laughter.] So I am delighted to say we have two fantastic Black Country lads—Jude Bellingham from Stourbridge and Morgan Rogers from Halesowen, who have both been doing us proud in the contested England No. 10 role—for our game against Congo this evening. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that we should congratulate England on their progress out of the group stage so far, and does he also agree with me that we need to do more to support—