The squeeze on family finances and school budgets may mean that young people across the country are ‘priced out of sport’. A recent Good Childhood report has found that more than 80% of parents are concerned about the impact of the cost-of-living increases on their family finances.
The cost of inactivity to children and young people was evidenced by the pandemic, where prolonged inactivity led to decreased physical and mental health. This research comes as 27% of parents have struggled with the cost of PE or sports kits over the last year.
A recent report revealed that the government may choose to scrap the sugar levy. The levy partly funds the Pupil Premium, making the current financial situation a serious risk to young people’s physical health.
A Young Minds study found that children’s declining mental health is affecting their learning capacity. According to Inspiring Changemakers, Building Belonging strategy, PE, play, and sport are essential to happy children who can learn more effectively.
As financial hardship deepens, schools and sports clubs are likely to be impacted, and the uncertainty around energy bills is likely to result in cutbacks to support staff and the limited use of facilities like swimming pools, sports halls and floodlit playing fields.
To find out more about the impact on young people and physical activity, see here.
