The statement from the Department of Health and Social Care is as follows:

“I wanted to confirm to you in writing as soon as possible that the Department has formally approved the 2025/26 funding. This aligns with DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and commits DHSC (Department of Health and Social Care) funding for the network until the end of the 2025/26 financial year, meaning the SGO (School Games Organisers) network is fully funded until the end of March 2026. Due to the current situation with the spending review, the remaining funding for the 2025/26 academic year (April – end of August 2026) will need to be approved separately. Please be assured my team are expediting the approval for this funding as part of wider spending review processes.

“I want to also use this as an opportunity to acknowledge the difficult situation that schools and the School Games Organisers have recently faced with regards to redundancy notices caused by uncertainties over funding of the network in 2025/26. I hope therefore that this is welcome news.

“DHSC recognises and appreciates the diverse set of sport and physical activity opportunities the School Games Organiser network brings to life for children and young people. The dedication of the school games organisers, coupled with the work of the Youth Sport Trust and other organisations, is exactly what we need to enable to deliver our ambitions to create the healthiest generation of children and wider Health Mission aims, where we are committed to addressing physical inactivity to improve health outcomes and subsequently reduce pressure on the NHS.”

The statement comes following a huge amount of work by a range of organisations and individuals across the education and sport landscape. This week, the Youth Sport Trust, supported by the CEOs of a number of NGBs and the National Sector Partners Group, wrote to Wes Streeting urging immediate action to provide clarity about funding for the School Games Organisers (SGO) network. This outreach highlighted the essential and highly valued role played by SGOs in delivering opportunities for children and young people.

The national network is made up of more than 450 SGOs and in the last academic year (2023/24) created more than 2.3 million participation opportunities for children and young people.

Commenting on the update, Youth Sport Trust Executive Ali Oliver MBE said:

“We are delighted to receive this confirmation of funding for the SGO network to cover the 2025/26 Financial Year. from a senior official in the Department for Health and Social Care.

“The Youth Sport Trust and our partners have been consistent in our call for clarity on funding of the SGO network, to ensure opportunities for children and young people to be active are not lost. We are grateful to all those who have worked alongside us to raise the salience of this issue and we are pleased the Government has listened and acted in response.

“This update and the positive words accompanying it will give the School Games Organisers the security needed to continue their vital work, making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people through sport and physical activity.

"At this time, I would like to specifically recognise and express our gratitude to the amazing people who fill these SGO roles; despite the uncertainty and many challenges they have faced over the years, they have been resilient, courageous and most of all committed to supporting the children they work with. I would also like to pay particular tribute to the schools and organisations who host these roles and thank them for their patience and willingness to provide an essential anchor for the SGOs during recent weeks and months.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Government and across our sector to build a brighter future where every child can enjoy the life-changing benefits of sport and play.”