press release: ukactive
ukactive responds to General Election announcement
28 May 2024
The UK Prime Minister has called a General Election for 4 July 2024 / Shutterstock.com / Andy Wasley
The General Election called today comes at a critical time for the UK as the nation manages soaring levels of ill-health, the ongoing cost of living crisis, record numbers of people out of work due to long-term sickness, and a health service that is crippled by ever-increasing demand.
Any new Government must recognise there is no growth without health. The nation needs to see political will and clear commitment to prioritise addressing the declining state of the nation’s health and wellbeing, including physical activity levels which rank 11th in Europe.
The physical activity sector is already playing its part in tackling these issues, but any future Government must work urgently with the sector to raise awareness of the value of physical activity and the essential services provided by our gyms, pools, leisure centres and other facilities.
Each of the UK’s main political parties must commit to the following priority areas if they are serious about transforming the health of the nation, boosting the economy, and helping people return to, and stay in, work:
- Drive integration of physical activity sector and NHS – Commit to developing and formalising the integration of the physical activity and leisure sector with the NHS to allow people to access treatment pathways in community settings.
- Grow the sector to help more people to maintain their health – Provide the right environment for growth through wholesale tax and regulatory review and reform, including business rates and VAT.
- Tackle economic inactivity – Musculoskeletal (MSK) and mental health conditions are leading causes of people falling out of the workplace. Part of the solution is getting people more active before conditions develop. Incentivisation through policy solutions such as extending the Cycle to Work scheme to include other physical activity opportunities, can help to drive up activity levels, as can increasing physical activity referrals for those living with those conditions.
- Invest in public leisure – Long-term capital investment is needed to future proof facilities, enabling them to continue providing essential services to communities, while saving councils money and reducing their carbon footprint.
- Improve levels of activity among children – The Government must recognise the importance of giving children the best opportunity to be active, by committing to the continuation of a ringfenced three-year Opening School Facilities investment of £57m and continuing sustainable provision of PE and school sport.
ukactive will ensure that the voice of its members is heard throughout the election campaign and in its ongoing conversations with the main parties.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The next Government has a golden opportunity to capitalise on the instrumental role physical activity can play in supporting the health of the nation and directly reducing levels of economic inactivity by improving public health.
“We must see our party leaders, as a matter of urgency, deploy the physical activity sector to help save the NHS and turbocharge the economy.
“Our sector is already supporting the nation in managing more than 20 long-term health conditions, providing essential support to people while reducing pressure on the NHS through preventative health solutions in the community.
“As the parties embark on their election campaigns, they must consider serious strategies to help make the UK the most active nation in Europe by working with our sector.
“Physical activity is the driving force in shaping the health of children and young people, in ensuring the health and productivity of the nation’s workforce, in supporting an ageing society, helping people manage and improve long-term health conditions and in providing deeper connections within communities.
“ukactive will continue to work closely with and engage all the major political parties to ensure the importance our sector is properly recognised through the campaign.
“It is time to focus on the health of the nation and ukactive’s policy asks provide the levers for growth and change that our citizens deserve.”
ukactive will be providing regular analysis and updates to members throughout the General Election campaign. To find out more or join, click here.
More press releases and updates from ukactive:
The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) has issued the following statement following the
result of the 2024 General Election.
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.
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
Search news, features & products:
Find a supplier:
