British sporting icons have united to warn that Labour's plans to overhaul PE and sports funding in schools could slash opportunities for children in state schools, potentially closing the door on future Olympic champions.
Olympic swimmer Baroness Sharron Davies, Paralympic gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, and decathlete Daley Thompson are among those who claim the changes will result in a 22% cut in funding. They are joined by Paralympic swimming great Lord Chris Holmes, tennis coach Judy Murray, former sports minister Baroness Kate Hoey, and sailor Tracy Edwards in urging Education Secretary Lucy Powell to scrap the proposed replacement of the “PE and sport premium” with a “partnerships network”.
Deep concern over funding cut
In a joint letter, the sporting figures express “profound disappointment” at the planned changes, warning they will “inevitably mean fewer opportunities for children to be active, develop new skills and discover a lifelong love of sport”. Headteachers have already described the plans as “deeply concerning”, and Schools Week calculated that the new funding is “22% less than the equivalent value of the old premium”.
The letter highlights that the PE premium was introduced to build on the legacy of the London Olympics and has enabled schools to invest in specialist coaches and improve facilities. It states: “It is vital that state schools continue to offer a diverse range of sporting activities. Many of our nation's most successful athletes attribute their achievements to high-quality school provision. Both Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Sir Mo Farah have famously credited their PE teachers and school sports programmes with sparking their future success.”
Government defends new network
The Government argues that replacing the premium with the new partnerships network, which will feature “targeted support based on need”, and boosting capital investment will end up providing more cash. However, the letter's signatories warn of the “long-term impact on children’s health” at a time when “British children are some of the unhealthiest in Western Europe”.
“Without guaranteed support, schools will struggle to maintain their current provisions, meaning fewer students will experience the transformative power of sport, and we risk closing the door on the sporting superstars of tomorrow,” they write.
Call to reinstate premium
Baroness Davies launched a further attack on the Government’s plans, saying: “This reckless decision is going to have a shocking impact on our schools’ ability to offer PE and sport and could have a devastating impact on the UK’s sporting chances going forward. This cut to funding will make it harder for children to access sport, unfairly impacting some of the most disadvantaged young people. The fact is we need more sport, not less. Children need sport to develop confidence and resilience that stays with them for life. The new Education Secretary has the chance to write one of her predecessor’s biggest mistakes and reinstate the PE and Sport Premium in full, allowing every child to have the chance to have their lives transformed by sport, just like I did.”
Shadow Education Minister Saqib Bhatti said: “This important intervention from British sporting royalty shows how much of an own goal Labour’s PE funding cut is. Our children need sport and PE to keep fit and healthy, and it is also proven to help develop healthier and more resilient individuals in the future. Whilst Bridget Phillipson, spent millions on pompous advertising campaigns, the new Secretary of State, Lucy Powell has the opportunity to send a clear signal to schools that she will do things differently than her predecessor. That’s why I am I urging the Education Secretary to get back to the drawing board and properly fund PE and sport to give every child the chance to thrive.”
Department for Education responds
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Every child deserves to be active, healthy and happy – whatever their background or ability. Our new PE Partnerships Network delivers that, with tailored support for schools, expert coaches, swimming and water safety provision and more extra-curricular opportunities. We’re increasing our one-off transition payment from £100million to £150million, on top of £530million for the new network and around £200million in capital funding. Taken together, that's over £1billion for PE and sport – more than the £960million flat-cash [the premium] would have delivered.”
