ukactive has issued the following response to the Government’s financial support package for public leisure operators with swimming pools, announced last night (13 March)
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “We welcome the announcement of this package of financial support that will help those parts of the sector most exposed to the increase in energy prices.
“We will now support the Government and Sport England to channel this financial package to those facilities most at need, helping to retain services and keep facilities open.
“Going forward, we will continue to share sector insight with the Government to monitor future energy price trends, and work with them to ensure these facilities play their fullest role in helping improve the health and wellbeing of the nation.”
ukactive has laid out the required policy and fiscal measures required to support our members across the wider sector in this current climate and to create the appropriate conditions for growth. ukactive will respond in full to the Spring Budget when the Chancellor announces it in full on Wednesday 15 March.
Recap: Key asks within ukactive’s Spring Budget 2023 submission
- Provide immediate support for gyms, pools, and leisure centres to deal with the current energy crisis and provide long-term capital investment to future proof facilities.
- Reduce VAT to 5% for fitness and leisure businesses.
- Raise the limit for business rate support to include larger gyms, leisure centres and physical activity providers.
- Provide funding to expand the musculoskeletal hub pilot scheme across the UK and embed the use of physical activity facilities for NHS services within Integrated Care Systems.
- Provide a long-term funding commitment for PE and school sport, to get every child active for sixty minutes a day.
- Invest in sustainable facilities, including support for adoption of green technologies.
- Extend the Cycle to Work scheme to include a wider array of physical activity opportunities and accessories.
For more information, email membership@ukactive.org.uk
More People More Active More Often
