press release: ukactive
New Government must take the lead to make the UK healthier, happier and more prosperous
05 Jul 2024
The sport, recreation and physical activity sector stands ready to play its part in delivering a healthier, happier nation. / Shutterstock.com / Rawpixel.com
We welcome the newly elected Labour Government and look forward to working with it to unlock the full potential of the sport, recreation and physical activity sector to achieve the five missions set out in its manifesto.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces an in-tray including a physical and mental health crisis across all ages, a stagnant economy, concerns about community safety and growing inequalities.
The sport, recreation and physical activity sector can play a major role in addressing these challenges and transforming the lives of millions by improving physical, mental and social wellbeing from childhood onwards; taking pressure off the NHS; creating a healthier, more productive workforce; fostering community cohesion; reducing crime and anti-social behaviour; and strengthening PE and school sport.
Rather than an after-thought, the principle of getting more people, more active, more often must be embedded as a priority right across Whitehall. It needs to be led from the very top of Government and it needs to be backed by proper investment.
We call on the new Government to pledge to make the UK the most physically active nation in Europe. This is no small task, but the prize is enormous: it would deliver an additional £3.6bn in economic growth, £1bn in NHS savings and £71bn in wellbeing benefits.
The new Government has the opportunity to work with our sector, take the lead, and drive that change. The sport, recreation and physical activity sector stands ready to play its part in delivering a healthier, happier nation.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The challenges facing the UK today mean the new Government has an incredible opportunity to deploy our sector to transform public health and stimulate economic growth.
“Our nation’s health challenges have never been starker, but we are fueled by hope because if we can unlock our sector’s potential and give more people the chance to be physically active, we can transform our nation’s future.
“Gyms, pools, and leisure centres form the fabric of our communities, providing a safe and supportive environment for people of all ages and backgrounds to be active together.
“Today they also represent frontline support for the NHS, as the home to rehabilitation and treatment for a growing range of health conditions, supporting people to get healthy and back into work.
“The new Government must work at pace to scale and integrate these services with the NHS, support the long-term sustainability of public leisure, and use the tax and regulatory levers at its disposal to expand our reach.
“There can be no growth without health and ukactive is committed to working with the new Government to ensure our sector can play its fullest role.”
About the National Sector Partners Group
The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) includes the following organisations:
• Active Partnerships
• Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
• Sport for Development Coalition
• Sport and Recreation Alliance
• ukactive
• Youth Sport Trust
More press releases and updates from ukactive:
The World Health Organization has warned that 1.8 billion people are at risk of diseases
such as cancer, stroke, dementia and diabetes due to a lack of physical activity.
As the General Election reaches its conclusion, polling from Savanta commissioned by
ukactive, reveals the nation’s priorities when it comes to health, physical activity and
wellbeing.
As we enter the final stretch of the 2024 General Election, the latest polls show little has
really changed since the starting gun was fired on 22 May, with Labour still holding a clear
lead and predictions growing of a landslide. Despite this, there have been plenty of
warnings of the dangers of complacency at this stage.
Scotland is the only nation in the UK where a larger proportion of adults admit they are
less physically active than they were five years ago, according to a survey from ukactive.
And so the battle lines are drawn. After a few weeks of trading blows based on what each
party may or may not offer on 4 July, with manifestos published all has been revealed.
ukactive: news from HCMmag.com and FitTechGlobal.com
The UK's National Sector Partners Group (NSP) has called on the new government to pledge to make
the UK the most physically active nation in Europe, which it says would deliver an additional £3.6
billion in economic growth, £1 billion in NHS savings and £71 billion in wellbeing benefits..
More than 200 organisations and athletes in the UK have signed an open letter
to party leaders to commit to making the nation the most active in Europe
after next month’s General Election.
Improving physical strength and fitness, mental health and confidence are the main reasons
for joining a health club, while cost, time and motivation are the main reasons for leaving.
UK Active has announced details of its annual health and fitness industry awards ceremony,
which will take place in Birmingham on the evening of Thursday 3 October at the International
Convention Centre.
The first annual Private Sector Benchmarking report was released today (27 March). A
collaboration between UK Active and 4Global, the aim of the research is to provide accurate
insight into the state of UK-based private sector health clubs.
ukactive: featured in HCM and Fit Tech magazines
Industry insights: Back to work
Back pain is a leading source of work place absenteeism in the UK,
which costs both the individuals and the economy. Kath Hudson reports
on how the fitness industry is making a difference
Industry insights: The enjoyment gap
TikTok’s Shy Girl Workout, which has almost half a billion views and
counting, indicates females frequently have a different relationship to the gym from men. Kath Hudson reports on how the industry is responding
Industry insights: What's ahead
As the fitness industry has bounced back from the
pandemic, experts from around the world reflect
on the past year and what might happen next…
Insight: All welcome
As more trans women, trans men
and non-binary people join health
clubs, it’s time to work out a system
where everyone feels included,
protected and safe in the locker
room. Kath Hudson reports
Life lessons: Huw Edwards
Remember when there was mass hostility about London hosting the 2012 Olympics? Huw Edwards, CEO of UK Active, was there. He talks to Kath Hudson about the lessons he learned
Consumer expectations are rising all the time, but nowhere more than in relation to digital. UK Active’s Dave Gerrish explains how the industry is shaping up
ukactive
Tel: 020 8158 9700
Email: [email protected]
Address:
The Bloomsbury Building,
10 Bloomsbury Way,
London,
WC1A 2SL,
United Kingdom
Huw Edwards, CEO
ukactive video gallery:
Key personnel
Mike Farrar, Chair
Huw Edwards, CEO
Steven Scales, Director of Membership and Sector Development
Jack Shakespeare, Director of Research, Policy and Communications
Huw Edwards, CEO
Steven Scales, Director of Membership and Sector Development
Jack Shakespeare, Director of Research, Policy and Communications
Key customers
Gyms, health clubs, leisure centres, fitness studios, swimming pools, sports bodies, activity providers, equipment suppliers, technology suppliers, health bodies, education bodies, health charities, consumer fitness brands
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