Sector sends open letter regarding concerns over benefit cuts

A number of physical activity sector organisations have signed an open letter which outlines concerns over the impact the Labour government’s benefits reforms could have on disabled people and activity levels across the UK.

Led by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the organisations have come together to highlight the potential significant adverse impacts of the Government’s proposed changes to health and disability benefits and employment support – set out in Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support Green Paper – on disabled people and participation in sport, recreation and physical activity.

According to the letter, the changes risk creating even greater barriers for disabled people to access the physical and mental health benefits of an active lifestyle and “undermining progress made by Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy” in tackling inactivity and social isolation among disabled people.

“We understand the financial challenges facing the Government and recognise that difficult decisions must be made,” the letter states.

“However, we urge the Government not to rebalance public finances at the expense of disabled people.

“The proposed changes create even greater barriers for disabled people to access the physical and mental health benefits of a physically active lifestyle.”