ukactive calls on the Government to get young people fit for work in economic inactivity crisis

ukactive has issued the following statement in response to Alan Milburn’s Interim Report into Young People and Work.

Cameron Saunders, CEO of ukactive, said: “This report into the rising levels of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) reveals the scale of the crisis, and the role of health-related inactivity in it.

“It is particularly concerning to see the high levels of mental ill-health among young people and acting as a major barrier to education and employment.

“Physical activity plays a central role in supporting young people’s mental wellbeing. ukactive’s 2025 Mental Health Report showed 72% of people with mental health conditions believed that being physical activity helps them stay in work.

“However, too many young people remain inactive. Sport England’s data reveals do not meet the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines for physical activity. For the Government to harness the untapped potential of our sector, young people must be supported into physical activity.

“Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres also offer a variety of pathways for young people into the workplace, with a younger-than-average workforce – 30% more 16–24-year-olds working in the sector than the wider economy. As the industry continues to grow, the Government can maximise the opportunities it presents for employment and upskilling alongside health.

“Our sector stands ready to work with Government to address this crisis, as demonstrated by the sector’s involvement in the Keep Britain Working initiative. Further interventions on tax and regulatory reform, high streets support and investment would incentivise young people to become more physically active, healthier, and more able to enter the workforce.”