Laura Sharman 05 November 2015

Call for protection of leisure centres to tackle ‘deadly’ inactivity

Leisure services should be considered as part of public health spending reviews to protect them from cuts and closure, according to the findings of a new report into Britain’s physical inactivity problem.

Ukactive’s Blueprint for an Active Britain, being launched later today, argues it should be mandatory for councils to provide leisure centres and green spaces to encourage people to exercise, especially in deprived areas. It says councils and care homes should also be required to offer free or subsidised physical activity sessions for older people.

The plan also calls for a dedicated fund for improving the health of local communities in line with priorities set out in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs) and more support for schemes promoting active travel.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympic champion and chair of ukactive, said: ‘With precious public services like the NHS already stretched to breaking point, we’ve got to be bolder about prevention - and that starts with getting people moving more.

‘In the same way that you’d see a dietician if you needed expert advice on food or a radiographer if you needed an X-ray, it makes sense for people to be referred to an exercise professional if they need help getting active.’ Figures suggest physical inactivity costs the UK economy up to £20bn per year and can contributes to one in six deaths, making it as dangerous as smoking.

The report has been produced by a coalition of health experts including former health minister and surgeon Lord Darzi, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), Royal Society for Public Health, the Nuffield Trust, Mind and Age UK.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner