The Labour Government has axed a fund to open school sports facilities outside school hours, targeting disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs.
The Conservatives invested £57 million in the three-year scheme. UK Active said the investment reached more than 1,600 schools, delivered 96,000 sessions, and supported 236,000 young people to stay active.
Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell confirmed this week, in response to a question from Louie French MP, that the scheme will end in March 2025.
Louie French MP, Conservative Shadow Minister for Sports, said:
"Extending this scheme would have cost little but made a massive difference to tens of thousands of young people.
"Good sports facilities, including swimming pools, shouldn't sit idle outside school hours and during summer holidays.
"But Labour's cut will force schools to shut their doors, leaving communities and disadvantaged children with nowhere to go.
"It's a short-sighted decision when the national insurance hike will hit private sports and leisure facilities hard, meaning less investment and cutbacks."
