‘The sport and physical activity sector could be a critical player in the economic renewal of Britain, if party leaders work with our sector to unlock barriers for everyone to be more active’ says Lisa Wainwright, CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, at the culmination of conference recess 2023.
The Alliance team, alongside members and sector partners, this year attended three major Party Conferences – representing our members and promoting the cross-sector ambition to make the UK the most active nation in Europe.
With a lot at stake and a real opportunity to shape party policy priorities for upcoming manifestos, 2023 conference season was a critical event to be involved in political debate and make a case to politicians the power of our sector.
Following a busy month taking sport to Bournemouth, Manchester, and Liverpool, our Head of Public Affairs and Communications, Molly Hartill shares some thoughts:
With a general election looming, this year’s conferences had a lot riding on them, with all parties challenged with the question: what does a future Britain with your party in government look like?
The Alliance and our sector partners had a further question – will your party unlock the full potential of sport, recreation and physical activity, to support public health, empower communities and drive economic growth.
Our latest research demonstrated the UK is significantly more inactive than its closest European neighbours, sitting a lowly joint 11th out of 15. Yet our research also showed that our sector – getting people to participate in sport, recreation and physical activity - saves the NHS £9.5bn yearly, and that’s in spite of receiving the lowest proportional amount of government funding compared to European neighbours. With £1bn extra to be saved every year through prevention of ill health, as well as a huge £70bn to be gained in uplifting our nation’s wellbeing, leaders need to be bold now and work with us to increase activity levels, truly support the NHS and power the economy.
Conference pledges and discussion in fringes were overall promising, and although the level of ambition our sector is calling for is not yet being realised, there is positive movement towards making our ambitions a reality. Our main take-aways:
Sport and physical activity can play a big role in the economic renewal of the nation, but the sector must be given the recognition and support to do so. Going forward, when parties consider what a healthier, happier and more prosperous future looks like and how to achieve it, they must ensure making it easier for all to be active is at the heart of this. We look forward to working with leaders and teams from all parties to make this a reality, and ensure in future it is easier for all individuals in the UK to access sport and recreation, and be more physically active.
To find out more about our campaign or research, or to speak to the team, please contact Molly on mhartill@sportandecreation.org
The sport sector at conferences – in pictures
At the Liberal Democrat conference, Volleyball England, with England player Harry Jones (pictured), hosted a ‘give-it-a-go’ session a stone’s throw away from the conference door.
In Manchester for the Conservative Party conference, the LTA hosted a morning tennis session National Tennis Centre and StreetGames hosted a conversation between Sport Minister Stuart Andrew and Adrian Chiles. The FA also hosted their annual MP versus the Lobby football match and the EFL held a panel on the power of football in northern communities.
In Liverpool the Fabian Society hosted us for a panel with Kim Leadbeater MP followed by a dance fitness class with the ISTD, the LTA and the FA did the same activities as the previous weekend, while England Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run organised a Daily Mile on the final day of conference.
On Wednesday 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP delivered her first Budget statement to the House of Commons. Whilst the Budget’s core focus was on a number of key tax rises to fund increased spending on health and education, we look below at some of the measures which will be of interest for Alliance members and the sport and recreation sector.
Read moreThe National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) has issued the following response to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2024.
Read moreAs Black History Month (BHM) comes to a close, the Alliance is proud to have celebrated this with our members and sector leaders who – like us – are seeking to make sport, recreation and physical activity more accessible and equitable for everyone.
Read moreJoining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!
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