Comment

Sport in the UK under the Labour Government

Nina Lloyd explores the Labour Government’s commitments to sport and the potential to break down barriers to opportunities. Nina highlights the unique benefits of sports from grassroots initiatives to social value and demonstrates how investment in local sporting infrastructure, inclusion in strategic planning and wider championship of the full range of the UK’s sports offer would build a more valuable and inclusive sporting future at all levels.

Breaking down barriers to opportunities is a chapter in the Labour Party manifesto covering a whole multitude of topics, including sport. Labour pledges to “get more children active” by “protecting time for physical education, and supporting the role grassroots clubs play in expanding access to sport”. Whilst I was somewhat disappointed with a brief half-page dedicated to sport, if we apply a glass-half-full perspective and view each chapter of the manifesto through the lens of sport – there is a clear route for which sport can serve as a powerful catalyst to meet the Labour Government’s aspiration to “rebuild our country”. 

Legacy commitments

Labour’s sport ‘legacy’ commitment includes continuing to host international sporting events, citing Men’s UEFA European Football Championship in 2028, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the Invictus Games. Labour touched on some of the barriers to sport for fans, such as ticket touting, and seeks to reinstate fans at the heart of events through regulating ticket sales. 

Prior to the General Election, the Football Governance Bill, published in May 2024, proposed an Independent Football Regulator (IFR) to protect and promote the financial soundness of regulated clubs and enjoyed cross-party support. This Bill followed the European Super League controversy and a series of high-profile cases of clubs dealing with financial mismanagement or collapse. A commitment to the Football Governance Bill has been included as part of the legislative agenda announced in the July 2024 King’s Speech, a positive sign that momentum is being maintained by the new Government on sport governance. As we look ahead, channelling this momentum into other areas of the sector – particularly sporting infrastructure – will be key to boosting the role sport can play in sustainable growth and community enhancement.

Bridging the gap

The UK has some fantastic sport and stadia provision, in part owed to hosting international events like London 2012 and Birmingham 2022. Labour’s goal for the nation to host more international events will have a raft of benefits to our economy and sporting prowess. However, in order to inspire the next generation of talent, we need opportunities for participation and quality sport infrastructure at a local level and to support grassroots sports.

Labour (to the best of my knowledge) recognised the importance of access to provision in their manifesto, but has not yet committed to a financial figure. For comparative terms, the Conservatives had pledged to build on the £320 million investment from 2021-2025, whilst the Greens boasted to devote £5 billion across sports, arts and culture as a whole. 

For sports to thrive – under the next five years, my recommendation is that sporting investment and focus should be steered towards three clear areas of opportunity: sporting infrastructure, sport other than men’s football and grassroots provision. If plans to bridge the gap between these three key topics are at the forefront of sport in the UK as part of a Labour Government, we can break down barriers to opportunities and unlock growth in communities through the catalyst sport presents. 

Sporting infrastructure 

The UK has been a leader in sport for centuries. Much like our housing stock, we have some national treasures in stadia – some which have been retrofitted over time – but a whole lot of new provision and facilities are desperately needed. 

We are capable of hosting on an international stage, but:

1. What is the fan experience? 
2. What are the travel arrangements?
3. Where is the accommodation? 
4. How are we investing in the future of sport with our education?

These four questions could be a thesis on their own, but first and foremost – sport needs to expressly planned for in Local Plans and wider strategies, guided by a comprehensive National Plan for Sport and a collaborative and innovative Sport Delivery Strategy Programme.

Whilst we have exceptionally strong foundations, there is a clear need for this moving forward to actualise the potential benefits. Done right, this will support sustainable growth in sport across all sectors, genders and geographies and score the winning combination of local regeneration, economic activity, health and wellbeing and strengthened community spirit for communities across the UK.

Sport other than men’s football

Whilst you cannot get away from the global lure and market interest associated with men’s football, since May until the end of this year, the UK has either hosted or will be competing in over 20 other international sporting events, including (but not limited to!) major women’s sports championships, para-athletics, rugby, tennis, cricket, cycling, golf, motor racing through to multi-sport such events as the Olympics and Paralympics. This extent and variety of sports highlights the UK's capability to supporting and promoting a broad spectrum of athletic pursuits.

We are capable of and do host international events. We have a huge reputation in sport – and this includes both the men’s and women’s games. Women’s sport has exploded. Many are now televised, getting support and gaining sustainable increases in fan bases. Importantly, they are all increasing participation at grassroots level. However, there is a struggle with comparable infrastructure to men's equivalent sports, with only a few opportunities to ‘share’ the men’s elite facilities.

My challenge to the new Government is think beyond men’s football and break down barriers to all other sports which includes access to provision, infrastructure and availability right through to grassroots level. The Government should champion and celebrate women’s sport growth with a continued level of support and it will, without doubt, continue to be a significant contributor to our sport legacy.   

Grassroots provision

Labour is absolutely right in that we need to support and grow our next generation of talent, and this is achieved through sustained investment across different sports across the UK and backing grassroots initiatives. Labour’s manifesto notes how “Britain should be the best place in the world to be a football fan”, but this ambition can and should extend to all sports. We should go even further and be the best place in the world for getting more people active and participating in sport. 

Promoting active participation helps young people develop essential skills, build confidence and foster community connections – providing an arena for local aspiration and ambition to grow.

Social value at the heart

At the heart of our communities, sport serves as a powerful catalyst for health and wellbeing. However, broader than this – it also builds a wider collective spirit that leads to a lasting, positive impact that can resonate throughout all parts of a community. This unique effect often begins at grassroots sports clubs, organisations and societies that can transcend expectations to become local landmarks in their own rights. 

For these reasons, authentic, community-focused strategies should be prioritised. If we invest in and enhance grassroots sports and local sports infrastructure across all areas of UK sports, we can help to deliver the broader goal of positive social value that many of our communities need, boosting individual physical and mental health, and building that all-important collective spirit that binds our communities together. 

To continue the conversation on sport or learn more about our experience delivering successful Sport and Stadia projects, reach out to Nina Lloyd.

22 July 2024