Policy and Lobbying
Championing the sector and influencing national policy
As the leading trade body for the physical activity sector, ukactive represents members at the highest levels of Government across the UK. Through lobbying, political engagement and evidence‑based campaigning, we act as the bridge between the sector and Government — driving policy change that reduces health inequalities, supports sector growth and improves outcomes for communities everywhere.
Setting the agenda
Our team delivers political engagement at a local and a national level on behalf of ukactive members of all sizes, in both the private and public sectors. Our network of contacts in the Government, the media and other influential organisations helps us shape the national conversation and reach key decision makers at all levels. We support members to engage with MPs and other stakeholders to amplify our political influence and showcase the best of our sector.
From pressing for support for businesses facing rising costs, to scaling new programmes and initiatives nationwide, we ensure the voice of our members is heard at the heart of Government. By bringing together the evidence and the partners required to influence change, we campaign for the right support, champion the work our members do in supporting the NHS and create a better environment for operators and suppliers to grow and reach more communities.
Political monitoring and analysis
We provide timely and comprehensive analysis of policy developments impacting the sector, thanks to our round-the-clock monitoring, relationships with senior stakeholders and direct engagement with Government. We relay complex data and information in a clear and concise format through our regular member briefings, webinars and newsletters, ensuring you have a complete understanding of issues impacting your organisation.
We also identify changes to policy and legislation impacting the sector, canvass views from our members and make regular submissions to government consultations, hearings and inquiries to make sure our members’ views are heard.
Insight and evidence
Using our in-house Research Institute, we survey members and the public on a range of issues to gather intelligence and evidence that can support our lobbying work. Working with other organisations in the UK and across Europe, we ensure we are armed with the best evidence to support our policy calls, grow political understanding and advocacy, and demonstrate the full power and potential of our sector.
Stakeholder engagement and influence
Our team has extensive contacts in Government, Westminster, the devolved nations, the media and other influential organisations. This network helps us to shape the national conversation and reach key decision makers at all levels. We also support members to engage with MPs and other stakeholders to amplify our political influence and showcase the best of our sector.
Impact
Working with our members, we deliver results when they are needed most.
Energy crisis
Industries across Europe and the World felt the impact of the 2022 energy crisis. As sectors fought for prominence, ukactive worked at pace to gather evidence from our members and track the impact, including the risk of closure for facilities across the UK. Using this information, we were able to provide a clear picture to the Government and convey the threat to communities through a high-profile media campaign which made national headlines and generated a groundswell of public support. Through this work, we were able to secure £63 million in emergency support for the facilities that were hit hardest.
Covid-19 pandemic
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic ukactive supported its members through one of the most difficult periods in our sector’s history. Working closely with Government, we secured a £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund to provide financial support for businesses forced to close through successive lockdowns. Our ‘Safe and Essential’ campaign demonstrated the evidence of low transmission and the high standards of hygiene within facilities. We challenged the preconceptions of policymakers, meaning facilities were able to reopen earlier with each successive lockdown so that our members could get back to supporting the nation’s recovery and resilience.
Change of use classification
A long-term policy aim of ukactive was to make it easier to repurpose empty high street properties into gyms and fitness studios. Because how could it be easier to open a chicken shop than a gym? Our team lobbied extensively to reduce the need for planning permission for these properties and in September 2020 the Government combined commercial uses into one Class E qualification – significantly reducing the barrier to opening new gyms and other fitness facilities on the UK’s high streets. This agenda lives on as we continue to lobby for improvements to the operating landscape for our sector so we can help drive regeneration and footfall back into our towns and high streets.
Keep Britain Working
Through our engagement with the Department for Work and Pensions, ukactive was able to involve members in the Government’s Keep Britain Working programme for encouraging economic activity. This resulted in a number of members being selected as Vanguard employers – with their results over the first three years of the programme going on to inform the remainder of the Government’s strategy.
2026 policy priorities
Legislative updates
Legislation brought forward by Government can often impact our sector in a number of ways. Our public affairs team works on a wide range of policy areas to keep members informed of any impacts on the sector, to mitigate risks and ensure our voice is represented.
ukactive lobbies and campaigns on a range of big issues, with short-term and long-term ambitions to deliver the changes that will help get more people active. From legislative changes affecting one part of the sector, to major funding announcements, growth incentives and national programming, our team is working for all.
Business taxes
Pressure on business through taxation is a major barrier to the growth of facilities. With a lower tax burden, our members can invest more in opening up facilities to more people, making the UK healthier and more productive. ukactive lobbies extensively on VAT, business rates, national insurance and more, to ensure a better operating environment for our sector.
Public leisure support
The public leisure sector is vital to communities, providing a range of services to all demographics. However, a combination of underfunding and ageing facilities mean the sector is in desperate need of investment. ukactive works across Government at national and local levels to find a long-term solution to public leisure funding.
Health integration
The work of our sector is vital in supporting the NHS to delivering both prevention and treatment services. Through our work with the health and care sector and the Government, ukactive supports member engagement with existing NHS programmes and emerging health policy, and lobbies for new funding streams for our members to continue to support the health of the nation.
Meet the team
Clemency Lion
Director of Research, Communications and Policy
Rob Gibson
Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs
Stephen McLoughlin
Senior Public Affairs and Policy Manager
How members can get involved
The voice of our members is vital in supporting our work with Government. Whether it’s responding to consultations, engaging directly with your MP, or highlighting the good work of the sector, you can make a real difference to achieving our policy ambitions. To get in touch with us, complete the form below.