The Youth Sport Trust is today urging new Prime Minister Boris Johnson to build on the School Sport and Activity Action Plan published by government last week.

Ali Oliver, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said:

We would like to congratulate the new Prime Minister in taking up office. His recent acknowledgment of the importance of giving everyone the opportunity to engage in sport could not be more timely.

The wellbeing of young people is in decline and only 18% are active for the recommended 60 minutes every day. This will have profound consequences for this and future generations.

There is a need for a long-term, joined-up plan to tackle this national crisis and it is encouraging that the new Prime Minister has committed to this being a key pillar of his programme for government.

The Youth Sport Trust and a community of organisations passionate about the life-changing importance of Physical Education and school sport look forward to working with the government led by Boris Johnson to build on the School Sport and Activity Action Plan and support its successful implementation.

 We owe it to future generations to keep sport and PE high on the agenda for change and a priority in our schools and communities for future wellbeing.

During the Conservative Party leadership race, both candidates wrote to YST and partners to give a commitment that tackling inactivity and the decline in wellbeing would be a central pillar of their programme for government. Read their full responses.

Last week, YST and leading sporting organisations issued a joint statement in response to the government’s outline School Sport and Activity Action Plan.