The National Sector Partners Group issues statement following the result of the 2024 General Election

The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) has issued the following statement following the result of the 2024 General Election

We welcome the newly elected Labour Government and look forward to working with it to unlock the full potential of the sport, recreation and physical activity sector to achieve the five missions set out in its manifesto.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, faces an in-tray including a physical and mental health crisis across all ages, a stagnant economy, concerns about community safety and growing inequalities.

The sport, recreation and physical activity sector can play a major role in addressing these challenges and transforming the lives of millions by improving physical, mental and social wellbeing from childhood onwards; taking pressure off the NHS; creating a healthier, more productive workforce; fostering community cohesion; reducing crime and anti-social behaviour; and strengthening PE and school sport.

Rather than an after-thought, the principle of getting more people, more active, more often must be embedded as a priority right across Whitehall. It needs to be led from the very top of Government and it needs to be backed by proper investment.

We call on the new Government to pledge to make the UK the most physically active nation in Europe. This is no small task, but the prize is enormous: it would deliver an additional £3.6bn in economic growth, £1bn in NHS savings and £71bn in wellbeing benefits.

The new Government has the opportunity to work with our sector, take the lead, and drive that change. The sport, recreation and physical activity sector stands ready to play its part in delivering a healthier, happier nation.

Andy Taylor, CEO of the Active Partnerships National Organisation, which connects, strengthens and enables an important network of 43 Active Partnerships based in the heart of communities across England, said:

“The Active Partnerships network welcomes the newly elected Government and looks forward to working with it to help make active lives the norm for everyone and to harness the power of physical activity to tackle inequalities and improve health.

“By working together to create a more active nation we can help ease the burden on the NHS through integrating physical activity into health and care systems. We can also help boost the health, wellbeing and ability to learn of the nation’s children and young people and help create stronger and safer communities by contributing to crime reduction and tackling anti-social behaviour.

“The sport and physical activity sector also has a key role to play in helping to tackle climate change and the Active Partnerships network stands ready to support the new Government on this and other crucial issues.”

The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) includes the following organisations:

Active Partnerships

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)

Sport for Development Coalition

Sport and Recreation Alliance

ukactive

Youth Sport Trust