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Labour want more kids playing sport

New policy aims at getting more girls and older kids involved

Labour’s shadow culture secretary Harriet Harman today launched a new policy consultation on how more people of all ages and backgrounds can be supported to take part in sport and physical activity. 

The consultation document called “More Sport for All” examines a range of policy ideas designed to shape a long-term strategy and support community sport. Some of the ideas being explored are:

  • a proper levy on the Premier League’s revenue from the sale of their television rights to help develop grass-roots football
  • a new levy on sports betting to support community sport and help raise awareness about problem gambling
  • reintroducing two hours of sport for every primary school child which Labour introduced and which the Tory-led government axed
  • tough new targets for increasing female participation in sport and upping the women on the boards of our top sporting organisations  
  • a 10-year National Strategy for Sport.

Speaking at an event for sports stakeholders at the London Aquatics Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Harman said:

“People across the country are passionate about sport whether it’s them or their children taking part or watching it at events or on television. 

“It’s also important to public policy because of the many physical and mental health benefits that it provides people of all ages. 

“We were all proud to host the Olympics and Paralympic Games in London two years ago but instead of seeing increased participation, things have got worse especially among young people as a result of the government axing School Sports Partnerships.

“Labour wants to help everybody to do more sport and physical activity — from children to the elderly, girls and well as boys and people from all backgrounds and regions. 

“Our consultation looks at a number of ideas which aim to boost investment in community and grass-roots sports by getting tough with the Premier League and betting companies, bringing back two hours of sport at schools a week and encouraging more people to take part — girls as well as boys.

“We need strong government leadership to create a long-term innovative plan for sport and that is what this consultation seeks to do.”

Clive Efford MP, Labour’s shadow minister for sport said: “If we are going to get more people active then we have to empower the people who do most of the work in our communities to have more influence over how we plan, organise and deliver sport and physical education at local level.”

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