20 July, 2026
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ukactive has written to Andy Burnham following his appointment as Prime Minister today (20 July). You can read the contents of the letter below.
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing as the CEO of ukactive, to congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister and set out how the physical activity sector can work with your Government to drive change.
During your speech as Mayor of Greater Manchester at our ‘Active Uprising’ conference in 2018, you spoke passionately about the national role and importance of physical activity. We welcomed your commitment to “put physical activity at the heart of everything we do”, and your recognition of it as “the most cost-effective way of dealing with some of biggest challenges we face”. I hope these beliefs still ring true and you will build on your track record, helping us to scale nationally your work embedding physical activity across Greater Manchester.
Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres are critical in tackling the nation’s most pressing challenges: relieving pressure on the NHS, tackling economic inactivity and driving economic growth. In the face of an overburdened health service with unsustainable waiting lists, rising levels of unemployment, stubborn inequalities and sluggish national growth, physical activity delivered by these facilities can form a central part of the solution.
Our sector is already producing results across these priorities, with the UK Health and Fitness Market Report showing a record 12.2 million members of health and fitness clubs and 679 million visits in 2025, equating to £15.9bn in healthcare savings annually. These clubs also provide important employment opportunities, particularly for young people aged 16-24, who are most at risk of long-term unemployment and make up 30% of the sector’s workforce.
Our vision is of a gym on every high street, a leisure centre serving every place, improving the health and social cohesion of communities up and down the country, but also driving local regeneration and footfall to other local businesses. However, major barriers prevent services from reaching the underserved communities where health inequalities persist. The ageing stock of public leisure facilities calls for a long-term strategy, with around 60% of sports halls and swimming pools beyond their expected lifespans or in need of refurbishment. The £400m of grassroots funding announced by DCMS will do little to address this crisis. Meanwhile, private sector growth is hamstrung by operating conditions, with successive Autumn Budgets raising employment costs and business taxation. These force higher prices, limited expansion plans, reduced services and closures, undermining the chance for healthier, wealthier places.
Pro-growth and pro-prevention, you have a generational opportunity to help people of all ages to be active and we invite your team to meet and discuss how we can help you deliver change.
Yours sincerely,
Cameron Saunders
CEO, ukactive
