Laura Sharman 13 December 2021

Lords call for national plan to tackle inactivity

Lords call for national plan to tackle inactivity image

Local authorities should have a legal duty to provide and maintain sport and leisure facilities, according to a Lords Committee.

The call has been made in a new report, published by the Lords Sports and Recreation Committee, which calls for a new national plan for sport, health and wellbeing. It warns little progress has been made in tackling inactivity due to 'failings in sport and recreation policy and fragmented delivery'.

Under the plan, there would be a new statutory requirement for local authorities to provide and maintain adequate facilities for sport and physical activity, funded by the Treasury.

Lord Willis of Knaresborough, chair of the committee, said: 'To make the changes we need it is time for a new national plan for sport, health and wellbeing. That plan needs to be ambitious and coordinated, and carry the weight of the Government and Prime Minster behind it. That cannot be delivered if it is led by DCMS, a small department with an increasing focus on its digital portfolio. That is why we are calling for responsibility for sport policy to move to the Department of Health and be driven by a new minster for sport, health and wellbeing.

'The new plan would coordinate efforts of bodies such as Sport England, local authorities and schools to work together to make it easier for everyone to be more active. Our report sets out a number of key priorities and themes that could form the basis of the new national plan and make a real difference to activity levels across the country.'

Other recommendations include a review of the tax environment for the sport and recreation sector, making PE a core national curriculum subject in schools, and mandatory reporting in sport and recreation settings to tackle abuse.

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