Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey November 17/18 published on 11 April; and what steps they are taking to promote physical activity for (1) women, and (2) those from low income, black and South Asian backgrounds.

We are clear that everyone, regardless of their age, background or level of ability, should feel able to engage in sport and physical activity.

The most recent Active Lives survey shows that 62.6% of the adult population of England) are active and hitting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines for daily activity. That’s an increase of 498,000 people (0.8%) compared to the previous 12 month period.

However, there are some inequalities which remain with lower levels of participation among certain groups, including women, some black and minority ethnic groups and those from a lower socio-economic background.

By 2021 Sport England will have invested around 25% of its income since 2017 (approximately £120m) specifically in programmes dedicated to tackling inactivity. This includes various targeted programmes, including the Tackling Inactivity and Economic Disadvantage Fund, and campaigns such as This Girl Can which has been developed to get women and girls moving, regardless of shape, size and ability.