The sport, recreation and physical activity sector has responded with disappointment to the UK government’s Spring Budget 2024, stating that it was a “missed opportunity” to support the sector and improve the nation’s health and productivity.
The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG), which includes organisations like ukactive, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, and Youth Sport Trust, criticised the Budget. It doesn’t include measures to help the sector achieve the government’s targets of getting 2.5 million more adults and 1 million more children active by 2030.
The NSPG argued that the Budget’s focus is on increasing productivity, workforce, and NHS efficiency. The sector should have highlighted targeted tax and regulatory reforms as well as wider investment.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, added:
“The sector is ready to work at pace with the Government and all political parties to commit to making the UK the most active nation in Europe and delivering on the wider potential of physical activity.”
The Budget included measures that could indirectly benefit the sector, such as additional funding for wraparound childcare and the apprenticeship scheme for over 50s. The NSPG believes this falls short of truly unlocking the potential of the sport, recreation, and physical activity sectors.
The group emphasised that reforms to areas like business rates, VAT, and greater regulatory liberty post-Brexit are still needed to support the sector’s growth and improve access to physical activity for the public.
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