{"id":19937,"date":"2022-03-25T07:00:37","date_gmt":"2022-03-25T07:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ukactive.com\/news\/what-does-the-spring-statement-mean-for-ukactive-members\/"},"modified":"2022-03-25T07:00:37","modified_gmt":"2022-03-25T07:00:37","slug":"what-does-the-spring-statement-mean-for-ukactive-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ukactive.com\/cy\/news\/what-does-the-spring-statement-mean-for-ukactive-members\/","title":{"rendered":"What does the Spring Statement mean for ukactive members?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jack Shakespeare, Director of Research, Policy and Communications, ukactive<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Wednesday (23 March 2022) the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) delivered an update on the country\u2019s finances, followed by a statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer.<\/p>\n

With the Chancellor\u2019s preference for a more extensive budget in the autumn, there was a reluctance for major fiscal interventions in the Spring Statement, especially so soon after the combined Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review in October last year (read ukactive\u2019s response yma<\/a>).<\/p>\n

However, against a backdrop of rising living costs, supply chain issues and escalating energy costs, the Chancellor was under pressure to address vital industry impact challenges. A challenge that the Government has failed to tackle in the Spring Statement (read ukactive\u2019s response yma<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The physical activity sector is in need of a true expression of support from the Government. As set out in a co-signed industry letter<\/a> to the Chancellor on 17 March, ukactive CEO, Huw Edwards, warned that without support, many operators would be forced to increase prices, reduce services or, in the worst scenario, close facilities \u2013 emphasising that the Government should be \u2018extremely concerned about both the health and economic impact of the energy crisis on fitness and leisure operators\u2019.<\/p>\n

This letter and position was based on evidence gathered by ukactive from our membership, ensuring that we understood the current financial situation for both public and private operator members over the coming financial year. This evidence is invaluable for ukactive\u2019s lobbying of government \u2013 building our case and making sure our sector is part of the conversation (for example, within this\u00a0Financial Times<\/a>\u00a0article and this ITV News<\/a> story).<\/p>\n

Rising energy costs add to recent events that have made the operating environment difficult for facilities. The devastating impact of the COVID-19 Omicron variant before Christmas, and government advice to work from home where possible, had a seismic impact on footfall particularly in city centres, a problem compounded by its impact on the critical January trading period and the sector\u2019s omission<\/a> from the Government\u2019s \u2018Hospitality & Leisure\u2019 grant scheme.<\/p>\n

While recognising that the fluctuation in energy prices remains difficult to address, ukactive has firmly and consistently called on the Government to provide two key areas of support that are in its control to help the sector:<\/p>\n