POLICY CALLS

The general election will take place on 4 July. What is the physical activity industry hoping to see from the new government?

The general election will take place on 4 July and it is widely expected that there will be a change of government. However, a week is a long time in politics – never mind a month – so nothing will be certain until the votes are in and counted. What is for sure, however, is that the physical activity sector will hope (and expect) that the incoming government will help the industry fulfill its potential in creating a healthier nation – saving billions in health care costs.

So, what are the views of leading sector organisations? What do they hope to see from those taking the reigns of the country on 5 July?

ukactive

ukactive says that the General Election will come at a critical time for the UK, as the nation manages “soaring levels of ill-health”, the ongoing cost of living crisis, an increasing number of people out of work due to long-term sickness and an NHS struggling with ever-increasing demand. The industry body outlined five asks for whichever party (or parties) find themselves in power following the election: l 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) l 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) l Tackle economic inactivity (Get people active before conditions develop and incentivise through policy solutions, such as extending the Cycle to Work scheme to include other physical activity opportunities) l Invest in public leisure (Long-term capital investment is needed to future proof facilities, enabling them to continue providing essential services) l Improve levels of activity among children

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.”

CIMSPA

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) called on the next government to utilise the physical activity and wellbeing sector in order to tackle the challenges it will face head on.

CIMSPA Chief Executive, Tara Dillon, said: “The next government will have a number of significant challenges and it is vital that all political parties recognise that the sport and physical activity sector, and in particular our talented and dedicated workforce, can make a huge contribution towards addressing many of these.

“The NHS continues to be under extreme pressure and this will undoubtedly be a key campaigning issue. We would urge the future government to take very seriously the immense positive contribution that sport and physical activity professionals make, not only in preventing people developing chronic, long-term health conditions by promoting healthy, active lifestyles, but also by enabling patients to recover better through improved wellbeing.

“There are excellent examples around the UK of where partnerships between our sector and health professionals are saving thousands of pounds, reducing hospital bed occupancy days, and enabling people to return to socially and economically active lives. It’s imperative that the next government supports this collaboration to be done at scale.”

SRA

Lisa Wainwright, the CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA), echoed the views of ukactive, describing the election as being a “critical moment” not just for the UK, but also for the future of the sport, recreation and physical activity sector – and the role it can play in supporting a healthier nation.

“We know that the next Government – whatever its composition – will face significant challenges. The NHS and public services are under immense pressure. The economy is being held back by a rising tide of preventable ill-health. The cost of living is impacting the most disadvantaged. Our communities are characterised by deep inequalities. And climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss are affecting our everyday lives.

“The General Election is therefore a crucial opportunity to reimagine the role our members and the wider sport, recreation and physical activity sector can play in tackling these challenges.

“But change of this kind is dependent upon there being the political will and commitment from the very top of Government to make it happen. So we will be urging the next Government to show real leadership and commit to making the UK the most active nation in Europe to fully unlock the enormous economic, health and wellbeing benefits sport, recreation and physical activity brings.”