- Government backs calls to remove unnecessary “No Ball Games” signs and create more opportunities for play and physical activity.
- New commitments on school sports facilities could help more communities access places to be active close to home.
- London Sport is urging policymakers to turn positive momentum into long-term action on inactivity and active communities.
London Sport has welcomed the Government’s response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s Game On: Community and School Sport report, which includes support for removing unnecessary “No Ball Games” signs and a renewed commitment to opening up school sports facilities for community use.
Published in April, the Committee’s report highlighted the challenges facing community and school sport, finding that strong demand and committed volunteers continue to drive participation despite financial pressures, limited facilities and a lack of prioritisation for physical activity across the system.
The Committee called for long-term investment, improved facilities and a cross-government approach to tackling inactivity and improving health outcomes.
For London Sport, the Government’s response reflects growing recognition of issues that have been central to our More Ball Games campaign and wider policy work.
Support for removing unnecessary No Ball Games signs
Among the report’s recommendations was a call for Government to require local authorities and housing associations to remove unnecessary “No Ball Games” signs from public spaces.
In response, the Government said it is supportive of removing unnecessary signs “to increase spaces that are more accessible for children and young people”, while noting that decisions ultimately rest with local authorities.
The response represents an important acknowledgement that the design and management of public spaces can either encourage or discourage physical activity.
Launched last year, London Sport’s More Ball Games campaign highlighted how outdated restrictions can limit opportunities for children and young people to play, move and be active in their own communities. The campaign called on policymakers to remove barriers to physical activity and create environments that support healthier, more active lives.
Commitment to opening school facilities
The Government also responded positively to the Committee’s recommendation to reinstate support for opening school sports facilities through a long-term, place-based funding model.
Ministers confirmed their commitment to opening school facilities as part of the new PE and School Sport Partnership Network, which aims to strengthen connections between schools, local clubs, National Governing Bodies and community providers.
The response also highlighted almost £200 million of investment in school sporting facilities announced in May 2026, alongside a £100 million PE Premium transition payment for primary schools.
Improving access to school facilities has long been a priority for London Sport. School sites are often among the most valuable community assets available and can play a vital role in helping people access opportunities to be active close to home.
Building healthier communities
The Government’s response comes as evidence continues to grow that creating active environments must be a central part of tackling wider social challenges.
Through our manifesto, London Sport has called for physical activity to be embedded across policy areas including health, education, planning and community development.
Our recent research into demographic change highlighted how inactivity, health inequalities and increasing pressures on public services will require a greater focus on prevention and community wellbeing in the years ahead.
Creating more opportunities for everyday movement, protecting community assets and making physical activity easier to access will be critical to meeting those challenges.
Turning ambition into action
On Tuesday, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Chair, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, will lead a House of Commons debate on sport and youth services.
Ahead of the debate, London Sport is calling on policymakers to build on the momentum created by the Committee’s report and the Government’s response by:
- Supporting the removal of unnecessary barriers to play and physical activity.
- Investing in community facilities and active environments.
- Expanding access to school facilities outside school hours.
- Embedding physical activity across government policy and decision-making.
Emily Robinson, Chief Executive of London Sport, said:
“We welcome the Government’s recognition that children and young people need more accessible spaces to play and be active, and its support for removing unnecessary No Ball Games signs.
Through our More Ball Games campaign, we continue to highlight how the environments around us can either enable or discourage physical activity. Creating more opportunities for informal play, alongside greater access to community and school sports facilities, is essential if we are serious about tackling inactivity and improving health outcomes.
“The direction of travel is positive, but ambition must now be matched by action. Ahead of next week’s debate, we urge policymakers to build on this momentum through long-term investment and practical measures that make it easier for people to be active where they live, learn and play”.
