As a collective group we represent thousands of organisations and individuals who help to keep millions of people active and who every year deliver £85bn in social and economic value through improved health and wellbeing, community cohesion, productivity and employment, educational attainment and reduced crime.
Our proposals for Spring Statement 2022
We believe the Spring Statement 2022 must make a serious effort to address to protect the sector and its participants from the impact of rising energy costs and drive long-term improvements in public health. Without additional support, rising energy costs will be passed on to participants in the form of higher prices and fees – depressing participation rates further – or simply make some business and facilities unviable.
More broadly, in the context of recovery from COVID-19 and the Levelling Up agenda, public health – and specifically health inequality – is something which must underpin every decision Government makes. Crucial to addressing these inequalities is driving up physical activity levels, particularly amongst children and the most inactive groups, many of whom are on low incomes and who will be hit hardest by price increases.
Alongside the efforts of the NSPG and its constituent members, this requires support from Government in the form of additional investment as well as tax and regulatory reform, and a commitment to prioritising sport, recreation and physical activity in policy decisions.
As a collective group, we are calling for the upcoming Spring Statement to provide:
Additional measures to help the sport, recreation and physical activity sector in the face of sharply rising costs. This should include:
Confirmation of key funding streams to preserve the essential PE, school sport and physical activity infrastructure and help our children and young people recover from the pandemic. Without immediate confirmation of additional funding there is a very real risk of losing essential networks which underpin vital sport and physical activity opportunities for children and young people across the country. Government should therefore:
Prioritisation of the sport and physical activity workforce in post-16 and adult skill development and employment support policies. These commitments should include:
In addition, greater consideration should be given to making it simpler and easier for self-employed, micro and SME businesses to access skills funding highlighted above.
Members of the National Sector Partners Group
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
Here is an end-of-week wrap on some key workstreams we’re undertaking for you, our members, that we want to bring to your attention. It covers a number of important pieces of information for consideration or action.
Read moreRead the statement from Sport and Recreation Alliance CEO, Lisa Wainwright MBE.
Read moreInternational Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the importance of gender equality, not just in society at large, but in all sectors, including sport and recreation. While progress has been made in many areas, there remains a glaring need for greater representation of women in leadership roles, particularly on boards and as chairs of sports organisations.
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