Yesterday, the Sport and Recreation Alliance hosted a session of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sport and Physical Activity, which took the format of a roundtable discussion on the economic value of sport and physical activity.
The session was Chaired by APPG Chair Rachel Taylor MP, with input from National Sector Partner Group members including ukactive, Youth Sport Trust, Local Government Association, the group also welcomed London Sport and Sport England.
MPs and Peers heard about the significant contribution of sport and physical activity to the economy, which currently makes up 2.5% of the UK’s total direct economic output. MPs and Peers also discussed the wider economic contribution made by sport and physical activity, which is £96.7 billion in wellbeing value for adults and children and £10.5 billion in health and social care savings.
Speaking on the panel, Lisa Wainwright MBE, CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, told attendees:
“We know the benefits of sport and recreation in terms of our wellbeing and communities, but it’s important to recognise the wider social and economic value it provides. When it comes to physical activity, the UK ranks just joint 11th out of 15 comparable European nations.
Were the UK to match the best-performing nations, we would generate an additional £1bn in healthcare savings, an additional £3.5bn in GDP and over £70bn in wellbeing benefits annually.
We know how stretched the economy is and the challenges that policy makers face to balance- but sport and recreation activities can and should be part of the solution.”
APPG Chair and Member of Parliament for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, Rachel Taylor, said:
“As Chair of the APPG for Sport and Physical Activity, I’m excited to be working with sporting bodies to help more people get active. As a former Wimbledon umpire and tennis player, I have seen firsthand the vast benefits sport can bring to us all, from local clubs to the elite level.
“It’s concerning that a third of UK adults do not meet the Chief Medical Officer’s minimum requirements for physical activity – costing our health, our communities, and our economy dearly. It’s our job as parliamentarians to enable people to get more active and unlock all of the benefits that brings.
“I want to see more money allocated in the upcoming Spending Review to expanding physical activity facilities, creating jobs in sport and recreation, relieving pressure on the NHS, and revitalising our communities. I want to thank my parliamentary colleagues who took the time to join us yesterday, and I look forward to continuing our work together championing sport and physical activity.”
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