§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the joint initiatives and funds that are applied to the provision of leisure and sporting activities that are classed as medically therapeutic; and if she will make a statement. [17802]
§ Mr. CabornThe Government fully accept that physical activity and sport has a range of benefits including better health and our plan for sport spells out534W our policies and strategy for increasing participation among all sectors of the community, particularly the young.
The young and active report, published in 1998, brought together the views of experts and evidence on health and physical activity and put forward a policy framework on the promotion of physical activity for young people. The report outlined the following beneficial health outcomes of physical activity, including;
- Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Enhanced self-esteem
- Controls blood pressure
- Controls weight.
The plan for sport sets out the steps which the Government are taking to enhance opportunities and increase participation at school, in the community and at the highest levels of performance. Overall, it offers a comprehensive package of improvements to the sporting experience in this country. This is being achieved through co-operation between all Government Departments and agencies involved with promoting physical activity and health. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working closely with the Department of Health and other Departments to develop a cross-government approach.
Since lottery funding began, Sport England has allocated £1.25 billion to over 3,350 sports projects.
In addition, major funding has been allocated to improving sports facilities and sporting provision throughout England. This includes:
£581 million of new opportunities fund (NOF) money to build and refurbish PE and sports facilities in schools in every local education authority in England. These facilities will be available to the wider community.The spaces for sport and the arts project—a joint initiative between DCMS, DIES, Sport England, Arts Council of England and the new opportunities fund. £130 million has been allocated to 65 local education authorities to develop new sports and arts facilities on primary school sites which will also be available for community use, with the emphasis on inclusion of currently under-represented groups. Around 300 projects across England will be funded under the scheme.A further £50 million NOF money will be made available to develop and refurbish outdoor activity and adventure facilities across England as part of an integrated scheme to develop young people through outdoor activities.