The Government has been urged to ringfence funding for sports and physical activities to avoid creating health problems for a generation.
More than 100 leaders from the physical activity sector have written to the prime minister calling for a new Sports Recovery Fund to protect jobs and facilities.
The letter argues this would enable the sector to address the health inequalities highlighted by COVID-19 and support the NHS by improving health outcomes.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: 'We call on the Government to deliver the urgent fiscal, taxation and regulatory support required to save sports and activity providers across the UK from disappearing from our communities at the time they are needed most.'
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: ‘The LGA has been making the case for long-term funding to ensure leisure facilities can continue to provide vital services for low income communities.
’As we look to recover from the coronavirus crisis, it is essential for the Government to provide funding to ensure that all communities have access to quality sports facilities and activities.’
