Government launches physical activity drive to get children active

The government has teamed up with health professionals, fitness experts and sports stars with the aim to get another 3.5 million children and adults active by 2030.

The new sports strategy sets national participation targets to get an additional 1 million children active by 2030.

A new taskforce will be led by culture secretary Lucy Frazer, sports minister Stuart Andrew and former England Rugby Union international Ugo Monye.

The government has published a new sport strategy: ‘Get Active: A strategy for the future of sport and physical activity’, which sets out a blueprint to improve the nation’s health and fitness, enhance corporate governance in the sport sector and make it more resilient to future challenges at elite and grassroots level.

Statistics show that 53 per cent of children and young people are not meeting the CMO’s guidance of at least 60 minutes of activity a day - with 23 per cent being fairly active, but 30 per cent doing less than 30 minutes a day.

NHS data shows that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of year 6 children were obese in England in 2021-22, an increase of 3 per cent from 2018-19.

The taskforce will advise on how to deliver on these targets, challenge how ambitions are being delivered and hold the Government, National Governing Bodies, the physical activity sector and schools to account for delivering the targets at both the national and local level.

The new targets are part of the government's aim to improve school sport, following on from the recent announcement of £600 million for school sport and PE over the next two years, with a focus on making sure that girls have the same access as boys, and building on the success of the Lionesses at EURO 2022 last year and in their recent World Cup campaign.

This is the first sport strategy published since 2015 and aims to build on the almost £400 million in grassroots facilities, including in multi-sport facilities, swimming pools and park tennis courts, to ensure communities across the country have access to high quality, safe facilities.

Culture secretary Lucy Frazer said: "As Culture Secretary I want to increase opportunities for everyone to find the sport or activity that they love, which will help them be healthy and happy. Whether that’s playing with friends on the basketball court, getting on your bike or working out in your living room we want everybody to find a sport or physical activity for them.

"Our new taskforce, jointly led with Ugo Monye, will work across government and the sports industry to turn these ambitious targets into a reality, helping to break down barriers to help people enjoy the benefits of getting active.

"Through our support for school sports and our continuing investment of millions of pounds in facilities in local communities across the country we are making sure that people have welcoming and accessible places where they can get active."

National Physical Activity Taskforce co-chair and former England Rugby Union international Ugo Monye said: "As a former international player and dad to young children, I know the importance of instilling the benefits of sport and physical activity.

"It is clear that a major effort is needed to get Britain moving and boost our national health. I’m determined to use my experience and drive forward this ambitious strategy."