Mo Farah, the National School Sport Champion, has spoken out against proposed cuts to school sports funding in England, warning that seeking 'short-term savings' could damage children's happiness and health. The Olympic gold medalist joined more than 70 leading UK sporting bodies in demanding the government rethink potential £120m cuts to school sports.
Proposed Funding Cuts
The Guardian reported earlier this year that the Department of Health and Social Care had intended to cut its entire £60m contribution to school sports, though ministers have since said they intend to rethink the level of cuts. The Department for Education had also proposed an additional £60m cut – though ministers have said it would come from efficiencies from a new partnership model.
Concerns from Sporting Bodies
The 76 sporting bodies, which include ParalympicsGB, British Rowing, and Aquatics GB, expressed 'deep concern' over the proposed cuts. In a letter coordinated by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, they warned that any reductions in funding 'risk having a hugely detrimental effect on children's health, wellbeing and opportunity'.
Farah said he was 'really concerned about rumours suggesting the government is going to cut funding for school sport'. He added: 'There is so much optimism across sport and education about the potential impact a new structure could have. We can't risk this huge opportunity to improve PE and school sport being wasted for short-term savings when in the long-term it will damage children's happiness and health.'
Call for Maintained Funding
The letter, addressed to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, stated: 'Quality, inclusive PE and school sport is critical to our children's health and wellbeing, academic success and sense of belonging in school. It provides the essential foundation for all children and young people to be active throughout their lives and, for some, to become the next generation of sporting stars.'
Signatories include British Cycling, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Lawn Tennis Association, and British Gymnastics. While supportive of the new PE partnerships model, they emphasised it could only be delivered with existing funding levels.
Impact on Children's Health
The proposed cuts come amid growing concerns about inactivity among children contributing to obesity and lasting health inequalities. Government figures published last year confirm a significant decline in the number of hours allocated to PE in secondary schools, down by nearly 4,000. The most significant drop has affected 11-14-year-olds – the group experiencing the fastest growth in obesity.
Sport England has highlighted a growing problem with inactivity among children, with fewer than half meeting the chief medical officer's guidelines.
Government Response
A government spokesperson said no final decisions had been made on funding, adding: 'This government is committed to break down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child benefits from high-quality PE and sports education. But for too long, access to the best sporting opportunities has been a postcode lottery for young people.'
The changes to PE from next year proposed by Phillipson will replace the sports premium with a PE and school sports partnership network, mandating two hours a week of physical activity and building partnerships with schools and local sports clubs. It will also require schools to advertise their sports offering publicly to parents and address regional disparities.
A funding decision is expected as soon as next week.
