In response to Keir Starmer's article in the Guardian today about Labour’s new Child Health Action Plan, which includes a commitment to 'get kids moving, by implementing a mandatory national curriculum that is balanced and broad, and makes a wide range of physical activities compulsory for all schools.' Ali Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust, is calling on political parties of all colours to unlock the potential of physical activity, including PE, sport and play, to develop happier, healthier and more successful children.

“For years, the Youth Sport Trust has campaigned for an urgent focus on increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary lifestyles as a form of preventative healthcare for our nation's children. Active children are happier, healthier, more resilient, perform better at school and have overall improved wellbeing. As Keir Starmer himself says, ‘Healthy, happy children is not something nice to have, it’s a basic right that has economic urgency.’

“The UK’s Chief Medical Officers’ recommend children are vigorously active for at least 60 minutes a day to maintain health, but unfortunately, the most recent data from Sport England shows that fewer than half (47%) of children in England meet this guidance and 1 in 3 (30%) are active for less than 30 minutes per day. What we’re doing currently is not working – too many children are inactive, and are unhappier, unhealthier and more distracted as a result.

“Next week the Youth Sport Trust will be in Parliament with MPs from across the political spectrum to launch our new manifesto for action. A key part of this plan is elevating the role of PE in schools and ensuring every child has guaranteed access to two hours of high-quality, inclusive PE each week.

“The manifesto will set out five recommendations in total, to deliver the transformational change needed to give every child an active start in life. In an election year, we are calling on political leaders to prioritise physical activity to improve children’s health and wellbeing; improve their educational attainment and ultimately increase their happiness.”

The Youth Sport Trust passionately believes improving children and young people’s wellbeing is a national priority. Key to this is putting the child at the centre of our thinking and unlocking the potential of physical activity including PE, sport and play to develop happier, healthier and more successful children.