Physical activity sector reveals its 2024 General Election policy calls

A document published on 1 February lists more than 150 policy calls from the physical activity, wellness and sport sectors ahead of this year’s general election.

The Road to the 2024 Election Manifesto document – published by The Sports Think Tank – brings together policy ideas and proposals from 29 physical activity sector organisations.

The Sports Think Tank asked each organisation to create resource-neutral policies which they would want the UK’s political parties to champion in their forthcoming manifestos and first 100 days in office.

Policy calls revealed within the 165 page document range from cutting red tape and raising standards to suggestions on how to redirect existing funding. There are a number of specific proposals – such as elevating the status of PE within the curriculum, including active environments in planning policies and changing the Highway Code to encourage active travel.

Many of the contributors also call for greater governmental intervention to help drive much-needed change in the sector itself.

There are proposals to introduce new legislation and more regulation to make certain policies mandatory and improve the performance of the sector.

Addressing the deep-seated inequalities across the sector is another common theme, as are ensuring better provision for children and young people, embedding activity in Further Education and moving the sector towards health and wellbeing, especially through prevention in integrated care systems.

Commenting on the publication of the document, Kim Leadbeater MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sport, said: “Physical activity remains one of the most under-used resources we have at our disposal when tackling some of our most persistent challenges, from easing pressures on the NHS to tackling crime.”