“Exercise doesn’t just chemically make you feel good — it’s great for socialising, raising self-esteem and coping with losing.”
These are the words of a young constituent of mine, Tane, who wrote to me after I met him at Sir Graham Balfour School in Stafford. It was his ideas that inspired my recent Backbench Business debate on Access to Sport: PE in Schools.
This debate was not simply about a few more hours of PE, it was about addressing the fundamental role that physical activity plays in the development of our young people, and about how we can meet the challenges we face as a society, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Access to sport and physical education is about more than keeping children physically fit; it is about giving them skills, resilience and the confidence to navigate life’s challenges. It is about their mental health, their ability to form friendships and their capacity to overcome obstacles. It is about ensuring that no child is denied the chance to benefit from opportunities because of their background or gender, or any other barriers to opportunity that they face in life.
The timing of this debate is important, with the curriculum review presenting a crucial opportunity for reform. Currently, there’s no guarantee that every child receives quality physical education throughout their time in school.
The debate was heartening — and at times entertaining — as MPs shared stories from school and reflected on the importance of physical education. Whether they loved PE, or were last to be picked for the team, everyone was united by their shared passion for supporting young people’s wellbeing through sport. Some key themes included girls’ access to sport, SEND and inclusivity, the link between sport and attainment, and how much fun it is to play wheelchair basketball.
But the most welcome moment of the debate came from the minister herself, Catherine McKinnell, who shared the government’s upcoming plans for funding – which was followed by a formal announcement for School Games Organisers for 2025/26 later that day.
I am grateful for this announcement and the reassurance it brings to schools and sports organisations. It will allow them to continue delivering structured, inclusive sport programmes, which for many young people represent their only chance to be active in a safe and supportive environment.
I know just how seriously this government takes children’s access to sport. That said, this is not the end of the conversation. While a one-year extension is a step in the right direction, it does not offer the long-term security that schools need to plan and grow their provision. Too many of our schools have been operating under uncertainty for far too long, unable to commit to full-time staff or invest in new equipment because they simply don’t know what the next year holds.
What we need is a sustainable, multi-year funding framework for PE, School Sports Organisers, and the Pupil Premium. We must move away from short-term thinking and start treating sport and PE with the same seriousness we afford to english, maths, or science, because of the proven health benefits and social value of sport.
More broadly, this debate reaffirmed my belief in the importance of listening and giving voice to young people. Tane’s letter was not a one-off. Across the country, young people are calling out for spaces to be heard on issues that matter to them. Whether it’s sport, mental health, education, or climate change, their insights are often the most urgent and authentic.
As politicians, it’s our responsibility not only to represent but to listen. To enfranchise young voices not just at the ballot box but in every policy conversation that shapes their lives. Holding this debate, in some small way, was my attempt to centre those voices in parliament.
Because ultimately, when we empower young people to speak up and when we act on what they tell us, we build a better, fairer society. One where every child, no matter their postcode or ability, has access to the physical, emotional and social benefits that sport brings.
There is more work to do. But last Thursday’s debate showed the best of what parliament can be — cross-party collaboration, evidence-led discussion, and real-world impact. I am proud to have started this conversation, and even prouder to help carry it forward.
We must listen to young people like Tane, who have articulated so clearly the need for action, and we must respond with real change. As Tane said when he wrote to me:
“This seems like quite a simple solution to a lot of problems.”
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The post Leigh Ingham: ‘No child should be denied the opportunity to benefit from sport and PE’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
