The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG)* has written to the Prime Minister ahead of next week’s Spending Review to urge the Government to back the sector through a sustained plan for investment and a clear strategy for increasing participation in sport and physical activity.
The letter explains that a failure to prioritise the sector in the Spending Review will risk the decline or closure of more facilities and clubs, a reduction in physical activity levels, a negative impact on physical and mental health, greater health inequalities and lower productivity – meaning significant extra costs to the Treasury and the NHS.
Research shows that the sector generates social and economic value worth more than £107bn annually, through improvements to wellbeing and direct health and social care savings. It contributes almost £100bn annually in direct economic output – equivalent to 2.5% of total output. The sector is also helping to tackle climate change and is supporting the UK’s net-zero ambitions.
The UK’s physical activity levels rank 11th in Europe among comparable nations and the most recent participation data from Sport England shows significant inequalities remain across different demographic groups and communities.
Through the steps set out in its letter, the NSPG highlights how the Government can unlock the full potential of the sector to kickstart economic growth, reduce pressure on the NHS, improve community cohesion, and break down barriers to opportunity.
The letter urges the Government to capitalise on the transformative power of sport, recreation and physical activity to deliver on its missions during this Parliament, as well as in the long-term.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “Our sector is fundamental to the Government’s priorities on both economic growth and taking pressure off the NHS, and it is now vital that it unlocks the potential of our sector to deliver on these ambitions.
“The latest data shows gyms, pools and leisure centres are the driving force for activity, with fitness activities continuing to increase even as participation in other physical activity remains stagnant.
“It is now essential for the Government to back our sector properly in the upcoming Spending Review if it is serious about exploring long-term investment opportunities for facilities and a comprehensive strategy for increasing participation.”
To read the letter submitted to the Prime Minister from the NSPG, click here.
*The National Sector Partners Group is formed of:
The Active Partnerships Network
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
The Sport for Development Coalition
The Sport and Recreation Alliance
ukactive
The Youth Sport Trust.
Through our collaborative work as sector partners, we aim to engage decision makers to improve the operating landscape for the sector and embed sport, recreation and physical activity as a key contributor to wider public policy objectives.
More People More Active More Often
