The football season has now kicked off and it has been exciting to welcome Premier League fans to Kenilworth Road.  

Luton Town FC is at the heart of our community and a great source of pride in our town. Ahead of the first Luton Town FC home game in the Premier League, I was pleased to join Luton Council, volunteers, and community organisations in Bury Park for the community clean up. It is inspiring to see the club, council and community working together for the town. 

It has been great to see Luton back on the map and, with the world’s eyes on us, I was pleased to see the recent launch of Step Forward Luton, a partnership of Luton’s civic, voluntary, and business organisations working together to promote Luton as a great place to live, work, and invest. Supported by ambassadors from across Luton’s diverse communities, Step Forward Luton aims to bring inward investment into Luton and secure new jobs.  

Income from Luton’s promotion to the Premier League will be vital for funding the club’s move to Power Court. The proposed Power Court Stadium, to be located opposite St Mary’s Church, will be an important asset in securing both the future of the club and of the town, and will help drive regeneration of our town centre, bringing new homes and jobs to the heart of our town.  

Alongside Sarah Owen MP, last week I met with Luton Town supporters’ associations, where we discussed Luton Town FC’s future, its heritage, and how important it is that fans, like them, are involved in shaping their clubs.  

Last week, the government published its response to the football governance white paper consultation, following the fan-led review of football governance. The response recognised the importance of club’s heritage and fans’ involvement in their clubs. In its response, the government also outlined its preferred structure for the new independent football regulator, confirming a new regulator will be set up as a standalone body, ensuring it is independent from the game and can protect the interests of all clubs and their fans. 

I have long supported calls for an independent regulator and increased fan involvement in their clubs. Fans must be at the heart of football’s future, and I will continue to campaign for this in Parliament.