This week London Sport hosted a Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons, where we discussed our work, as well as the upcoming challenges and opportunities for the grassroots sport and physical activity sector in London.
The event brought together policymakers and Parliamentarians in London from across the political spectrum, who met with our team and key strategic partners to discuss the issues facing the sector.
With London Sport showcasing the work across our focus areas, projects and priorities, in line with our strategy, the discussion reinforced the need for collaboration across government, local authorities, and sector partners to create meaningful opportunities for everyone in London – and the UK – to engage more in sport and physical activity.
A keynote from our sponsoring Member, Florence Eshalomi MP– Chair of the APPG for London and Chair of the Government’s Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee – outlined the importance of physical activity in improving the nation’s health and wellbeing, and the key role that the sector can play in supporting the Government on society’s largest issues.
London Sport CEO, Emily Robinson, outlined the urgent need to address inequalities in access to sport and physical activity – highlighting that Londoners experience some of the starkest disparities in the country, significantly impacting participation. She added that a lack of accessible sports facilities, particularly in deprived areas, and the impact of cost-of-living pressures mean many Londoners struggle to stay active. Despite the clear benefits, investment in grassroots sport remains under threat when public sector budgets are stretched, and non-statutory services such as parks, youth centres, and public leisure facilities are often the first to face cuts.
Emily underscored the importance of continued investment in these areas, warning that decisions like ending the Opening School Facilities (OSF) Fund risk diminishing opportunities for children and young people to engage in physical activity.
London Sport outlined three key calls to action:
- Address inequalities in access to sport and physical activity – London has 12 of the 15 local authorities with the fewest public sporting facilities per population in the country, disproportionately affecting underserved communities.
- Recognise the economic and health benefits of physical activity – Regular movement improves physical and mental health, driving economic growth through a healthier and more productive workforce.
- Protect investment in grassroots sport and community spaces – Non-statutory services such as parks, youth centres, and leisure facilities are often the first to face cuts, yet they are vital for public health, community cohesion, and long-term cost savings – with ONS analysis showing a direct correlation between the number of sports facilities per 10,000 people and the proportion of adults who are physically active.
A huge thank you to Florence Eshalomi MP, and to our guests who contributed to this important discussion. Together, we can ensure that sport and physical activity remain a priority for London and the UK.
