Advocacy
We want all children and young people to be active for 60 minutes a day as recommended by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers, so they grow up happier and healthier. To achieve this ambition, we engage with government and politicians to drive policy change, whilst working closely with youth voices, charities, membership organisations and leaders from across education, sport, physical activity and health and wellbeing to articulate why being active is so important, and how to increase children’s physical activity levels.
On this page, you will discover how we are working to influence the agenda to ensure children and young people’s needs and priorities are heard and acted on by policy makers. You will also get updates on political and policy developments and analysis of what it means.
To learn more about our advocacy work, please scroll down to read our latest stories. For more information, please contact Steve Clapperton, Head of Policy & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
14 Apr 2025
Advocacy in Action: Spring Term Snapshot
As schools break up for Easter, here are 10 highlights from our policy and public affairs work over the Spring Term:
08 Apr 2025
Get Your MP Involved in National School Sports Week 2025
Join the Youth Sport Trust in encouraging MPs to visit local schools during National School Sports Week and witness firsthand the power of physical activity in shaping happier, healthier children.
07 Apr 2025
Parliamentary Debate on Access to Sport: PE in Schools
Thursday's debate saw MPs gathered in the House of Commons to discuss the importance of access to sport and physical education (PE) in schools, emphasising the role of physical activity in fostering wellbeing, resilience, and mental health in young people.
14 Mar 2025
Government launches listening exercise to inform new Youth Strategy
The Government is currently developing a new National Youth Strategy and is asking young people across England to have their say through a national listening exercise.
28 Feb 2025
Insights from Youth Sport Trust inform the 'Game On' Inquiry
The Youth Sport Trust’s Chief Executive Ali Oliver MBE gave evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee as part of their ‘Game On’ inquiry into school and community sport.
18 Dec 2024
Government publishes Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill - what's inside?
The Government yesterday published the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Here are five key things to know:
28 Oct 2024
House of Commons debates Olympic and Paralympic legacy
MPs reflect on the importance of PE and school sport as a way to provide opportunities at a young age during the debate on Olympic and Paralympic legacy.
24 Oct 2024
The 18th Council of Europe Conference for Ministers in Sport
Youth Board member Sara Yasin reflects on her attendance at the conference as a youth delegate for the UK.
23 Oct 2024
The LEGO Group and Youth Sport Trust join forces to get girls active
We were delighted to hold a Parliamentary drop-in event in partnership with LEGO Group as part of our shared ambition to empower girls through sport and play.
22 Oct 2024
Sector leaders call on Government to use Budget to drive physical activity and make UK most active nation in Europe, as Sport England report shows £100bn social value
04 Sept 2024
Parliamentary reception advocates for increased activity levels
More than 40 MPs joined representatives from across the physical activity sector at a National Sector Partners Group event in Parliament.
18 Jul 2024
Response to the 2024 King's Speech
Youth Sport Trust CEO Ali Oliver MBE responds to the legislative plan announced at the State opening of Parliament