Government pledges “game- changing” £400m for physical activity

Physical activity and grassroots sport across the UK is set to benefit from more than £400m in funding, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Designed to deliver facilities that will “inspire people of all ages to get active”, the £400m will be invested in new and upgraded facilities in communities across the country.

The funding commitment, which was outlined in the Spending Review last week, has now been set out by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.

It is part of a larger, £900m investment in sport, which will also see more than £500 million committed to supporting the delivery of a host of world class sporting events being held in the UK over the coming years.

According to Nandy, the strategic investment in facilities and major events has been designed to “reduce barriers to opportunity, bring communities together through shared national moments and showcase the best of the UK to the world”.

The investment has been welcomed by industry leaders.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, added: “With this level of investment, the Government has a unique opportunity to help shift the dial on the nation’s physical activity levels and significantly improve the nation’s health, but it must ensure it is targeted in the right areas.

“It must avoid repeating the mistakes made by previous governments and work with the sport and physical activity sector to channel funding into facilities and programmes. We’re ready to work with the government to co-design a strategy that sees our sector maximise this investment.”