ukactive calls on Government to use childcare cash surplus to get disadvantaged kids active
More than £346m in wasted childcare funding should be used to get children more active and fight the growing epidemic of health issues among the young, says a new report from ukactive.
The report, entitled Generation Inactive 2 – Nothing About Us, Without Us, includes a recommendation that the Government should redirect the Treasury underspend allocated to tax-free childcare to physical activity programmes in disadvantaged areas.
The proposal would help support parents to keep children physically active outside of school hours, with figures showing that, over the summer holidays, children lose up to 80% of the fitness gained during term time.
A study by the ukactive Research Institute found that the most deprived children experience a drop in cardio-respiratory fitness more than 18 times greater than their more affluent peers.
The report, published on 12 September at the ukactive National Summit in Westminster, is based on findings from the largest consultation on children’s physical activity in recent times.
It lays out a blueprint to tackle the barriers to physical activity for children and young people, mapping out the changes needed at every level in order to take a more holistic approach to health, happiness and well-being by focusing on active play and fun.
Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England, said, “We must make physical activity and play a public health priority for all children and young people, with practical solutions to make activities more accessible and appealing.”
Register your details to read the full report: ukactive.com/reports/generation-inactive-2/
