UK Active will launch an annual private sector benchmarking service next month to deliver more data on the sector’s contribution.

The news comes as ukactive chair Mike Farrar warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer there would be “no growth without health” and that any future government must make physical activity a central part of its health and economic strategies.

Farrar said that the service will “for the first time offer real, accurate comprehensive data about our sector”.

Active Uprising
“This will provide insights on how to provide growth,” he said. “We are working with the devolved nations to do this across the whole of the UK. This is hugely important so we can further develop our standards so when people are using our facilities and services – particularly in the context of safety – they can see we are at the forefront.”

Speaking at the organisation’s Active Uprising Event yesterday, Farrar also revealed new findings from ukactive’s Consumer Engagement Polling, with Savanta. This showed that more than a fifth (21%) of people with a health condition would rather receive support for their condition in a gym or leisure facility over a hospital setting.

The figure increases to 34% for the 16-to-34-year-olds. The conditions include a host of health-related issue, including cancer, mental health conditions, diabetes and kidney conditions.

England Lioness, Jill Scott
Farrar also led calls at the start of the conference from many delegates and speakers for the government to allow physical activity to support the NHS.

Additional speakers included Sports Minister Stuart Andrew and England football star and Lioness, Jill Scott.