The Tory leadership candidates have responded to an open letter from the England women's football team following their Euros win.

The Lionesses, who beat Germany 2-1 in Sunday's Euros 2022 final, had sent an open letter to the Prime Minister hopefuls.

The team remarked that they hoped their success will be a “turning point” that will lead to girls and boys being given equal access to football in schools.

Members of the England team are calling on ministers to ensure the national curriculum for PE lessons nurtures the next generation of female stars.

The Bolton News: England fans during a fan celebration to commemorate England's historic UEFA Women's EURO 2022 triumph in Trafalgar Square. Credit: PAEngland fans during a fan celebration to commemorate England's historic UEFA Women's EURO 2022 triumph in Trafalgar Square. Credit: PA

This comes after research from the Football Association revealed that football is the most popular team sport for young people in England, only a third of girls aged five to 18 take part each week.

The FA also found that just 63% of schools in England offer equal football coaching to boys and girls.

Squad member Chloe Kelly, whose goal celebration became an iconic moment of the tournament, said she was “really excited” about the future of the game.

The Bolton News: England players sing Sweet Caroline on stage during a fan celebration to commemorate England's historic UEFA Women's EURO 2022 triumph in Trafalgar Square. Credit: PAEngland players sing Sweet Caroline on stage during a fan celebration to commemorate England's historic UEFA Women's EURO 2022 triumph in Trafalgar Square. Credit: PA

“This could really be a turning point for women and women in sport and as a group of girls we would love to see that change,” she told the programme.

“We set out to inspire the next generation, we set out to inspire the nation.”

England’s national curriculum currently says that primary school pupils should be taught to “play competitive games, modified where appropriate”.

Moving on to secondary, at key stages three and four pupils should “use a range of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in direct competition through team and individual games”.

The national curriculum is not sex-specific and only lists football as an “example” sport, rather than mandatory.

It is listed alongside others such as badminton, cricket and netball.

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss respond to Lionesses' open letter after Euros 2022 win

In response to the Lionesses' open letter, a spokeswoman for Liz Truss said: “The Lionesses’ Euros win and record-breaking Wembley attendance will have a lasting impact on women’s football.

“Every member of the team should be proud of their contribution and the path they have paved for the next generation of girls.

“Liz wants equal access to all sports for boys and girls, and supports campaigns such as the FA’s Let Girls Play campaign.

“She is committed to investigating what prevents schools from delivering the recommended minimum of two hours PE per week.

“As part of her forthcoming spending review, her government would have the opportunity to look at how best to deliver for girls in schools across the UK.”

Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak’s campaign said that he would “love to see” all schools providing two hours of PE and would launch a review of women’s football immediately if he became prime minister.

A spokesman said: “Like the rest of the country, Rishi has been inspired by England’s performance at the Euros and wants to use their inspirational success to get more women and girls into the game.

“Rishi passionately believes in the importance of sport for children’s development and would love to see all schools provide two hours of PE a week.

“He has already said that he will tighten the accountability that surrounds the primary school PE and sport premium to make sure children are receiving the education they deserve, and has also said he will ask Ofsted to inspect sport in schools as part of every inspection.

“He has also committed to launch a review of women’s football immediately if he is made Prime Minister to make sure that all women and girls have the opportunity to take part in the beautiful game.”