§ Mr. Alan KeenTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the economic contribution of the fitness industry, consisting of private health and fitness clubs, public sports and leisure facilities, to the economy.[137044]
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§ Kate HoeyThe Government recognise the contribution that the fitness industry makes to the overall economy and the wider health benefits of increasing participation. There are a number of different independent estimates of the specific economic benefits of the fitness and leisure industry based on estimates of the economic benefits of sport as a whole. However, these estimates tend not to be sensitive enough to give a reliable estimate of expenditure within specific sectors. I understand the Leisure Industries Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University is currently developing a new model which aims to provide a more accurate picture of the economic impacts of different sectors of sport, including the health and fitness markets. Sheffield Hallam University is intending to publish the first results from this work shortly.