53 areas to benefit from new place- based funding

Sport England has revealed 53 areas in which it will look to tackle regional inequalities in activity levels. Each place is in the top 10% of the country for inactivity, social need, deprivation and health inequality at a national level.

The 53 areas will be the first to benefit from the new Place Partnerships programme, joining 12 areas that were included in local delivery pilots to test the new programme. In total, the programme will distribute around £250m towards battling physical inactivity in areas deemed to be in the greatest need. Sport England will announce an additional 27 Place Partnerships later in 2025. The programme’s coverage across England will grow further as Sport England phases in its Place Universal Offer, working with all 43 Active Partnerships.

Sport England chair, Chris Boardman, said: “Health inequalities have become embedded in our communities, with rising inactivity amongst children a particular worry.