Policy and Advocacy Update: NHS 10 Year Plan and more

Below we provide an update on a number of our current policy-related workstreams, from the announcement of the NHS 10 Year Plan, to a number of additional issues - including planning reforms, the EHRC consultation on gender, Select and APPG inquiries into Healthy Ageing, and Access to Nature.

1. Government Publishes 10 Year Health Plan

Following a public consultation last year, the Government yesterday published its 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, which sets out how it aims to ensure the future of the NHS in England. 

Why it matters

In addition to announcing a series of measures to strengthen the efficiency of the NHS, the plan features a chapter on prevention which includes measures to better utilise the role of physical activity and active travel in improving health. Primarily these are:

• A move to a place-based approach to physical activity with investment into local community sport facilities, new partnerships on school sport and local health plans.
• A new bidding process, modelled on the UK City of Culture, to name the UK’s most physically active community each year. The scheme will showcase the exercise, sport and active transport initiatives in that community.
• Continued investment into cycling and walking infrastructure and through Transport and City Regions funding to enable more people to walk, cycle or wheel for everyday journeys.

SRA view & next steps

The lack of prominence given to the crucial role sport, recreation, dance and physical activity can play in fostering a more active nation, and truly shifting the public health system to a ‘prevention first’ approach, is disappointing. 

The Alliance will continue to engage with DHSC and DCMS - and across Whitehall more broadly - regarding the implementation of the 10 Year Plan, to protect and promote members’ interests and impress upon Government the value of a bolder, more radical approach to working with the sector to address the myriad challenges facing the NHS.

2. Planning Reform

The Government announced a review of statutory planning consultees in spring, as part of proposed reforms to support housing development and economic growth. The Government plans to publish a consultation shortly on the impacts of removing a limited number of statutory consultees, including Sport England.

Why it matters

Following engagement with members’ policy and planning leads, it is clear there is strong opposition to the proposed changes. In the context of Government’s aim of building 300,000 new homes a year, there is a consensus that the policy will lead to a significant loss of playing fields as well as wider negative impacts on the provision of community sports facilities due to a weakened role for Sport England in the planning system.

SRA view & next steps

Removing Sport England as a statutory consultee risks removing protections to playing fields and spaces across the country with seemingly little justification, and undermining Government's stated ambitions to reduce pressures on the NHS and get more people active. 

The Alliance is convening a sector wide campaign and response in anticipation of the consultation, with the objectives of raising awareness of the significant adverse effects the proposal could have on playing fields across England and working with decision makers to help shape an alternative approach.

3. EHRC consultation

The recent Supreme Court judgement in For Women Scotland vs Scottish Ministers which confirmed that, under the Equality Act 2010, the terms “woman” and “man” refer to biological sex rather than gender identity or legal sex obtained through a Gender Recognition Certificate. 

Following this judgement, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) recently consulted on changes to its Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations.  

Working with members, the Alliance coordinated and submitted a response to the EHRC consultation, focusing on the proposed changes which will impact on members the most.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court judgment will have implications for the sport, recreation and physical activity sector. The consultation regarding changes to the EHRC’s Code of Practice included proposed changes to sections of the Code covering associations, separate or single sex services and competitive sport. Ensuring clarity on what the Supreme Court judgement means for national governing bodies and other providers in each of these areas is essential.

SRA view & next steps

We will continue to monitor developments and the outcome of the consultation closely and update members accordingly. We will continue to engage with other sector stakeholders and Sports Councils as this area develops - it's clear more guidance for and consideration around the practical implementation of the ruling is needed.

4. Welfare Reform

Further to an open letter from the Alliance and our members and opposition from MPs and third-sector organisations, the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments have now been postponed until a review into the impact of the proposals has taken place, expected to be published in Autumn 2026. 

Why it matters

Making it harder to claim Personal Independence Payments risks creating even greater barriers for disabled people to access the physical and mental health benefits of an active lifestyle and undermining progress made by Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy in tackling inactivity and social isolation among disabled people. 

SRA view & next steps

Having responded to the initial public consultation, the Alliance will continue to work with our members, including British Wheelchair Basketball and the Activity Alliance, by engaging MPs, media and policymakers with a view to ensuring that those who are disabled are better able to be physically active. 

5. More Spending Review details emerge

The Government has confirmed that, of the £900m it announced it would be investing in the sport sector following last month’s Spending Review, £500m will go towards supporting major sporting events and £400m towards creating and upgrading new and existing grassroots sports facilities. 

Why it matters

Prior to the Spending Review, the National Sector Partners Group published a letter to the Prime Minister. In the letter, we called on Government to:

• Invest in high-quality, sustainable and affordable facilities
• Prioritise getting children and young people active through investment into PE and school sport
• Deliver a joined-up national strategy that uses sport and recreation to improve health, boost the economy, reduce crime, and strengthen communities

SRA view & next steps

The Alliance cautiously welcomes the investment set out by the Chancellor and will continue working with DCMS and other Government departments on the specific details of how this investment will be allocated over the coming months. We remain hopeful this announcement constitutes 'new money', that will help to plug the gaps in access to high quality sport, recreation and leisure facilities. 

6. Select Committee Inquiry into Healthy Ageing

The Health and Social Care Select Committee has launched a new inquiry into the role of physical activity in improving the health and wellbeing of older people. 

Why it matters

As part of the Inquiry, the committee has launched a call for evidence giving members the opportunity to demonstrate the role of their organisations in delivering healthy ageing, and what measures they would need to capitalise on this.

SRA view & next steps

We will be in touch soon asking members to feed into the Alliance’s response to the call for evidence. This marks another important opportunity to impress upon Government how they can take bold action, to unlock the potential of sport, recreation and physical activity to help people live well for longer and better support the public health system.

7. APPG Inquiry into Access to Nature

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature has launched a call for evidence as part of a new inquiry to examine ideas for changes in policy and legislation that would enable more people to access green and blue spaces.

Why it matters

The Government’s manifesto included a commitment to improve access to nature, with more details expected later in 2025. Responding to this inquiry gives members an opportunity to outline policy changes required to ensure people across the UK have improved access to nature and the benefits it brings.

SRA view & next steps

The Alliance will work with members - especially those from our Outdoor Pursuits and Water Recreation Divisions - to develop a high-level response to the call for evidence. As before, this marks another important opportunity to support Government to help improve and preserve access to our blood and green spaces across the country.

As ever, do reach out the SRA team should it be helpful to discuss any and all further.