A new survey of school sports leaders reveals that they expect to see a fall in competitive sporting events provided in schools. It also estimates fewer children participating in at least two hours of sport each week.

The Tory-led Government promised a rethink on school sport after plans to cut all funding provoked an angry backlash from children, teachers and sports stars.

Following the campaign to save School Sports Partnerships, including a citywide petition which received support from Sally Gunnel, Brighton & Hove Labour have made a manifesto pledge to continue the City’s School Sports Partnership, regardless of whether the scheme is scrapped nationally.

Brighton & Hove Labour Lead for Sport, Councillor Melanie Davis, said:

 “Young people are bearing the brunt of the Tory-led Government’s poor decision-making. They deserve better than this but it’s what we’ve come to expect from this incompetent Government. By breaking promise after promise, they are losing support and goodwill.

“At least here in Brighton & Hove, Labour has made an election promise to continue school sports partnerships, regardless of whether the Tory-led government pulls the plug on school sports funding nationally.”

Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, said:

“In 1997, Labour inherited a weak school sports system. We changed that to ensure that every child had the opportunity to take part in high quality sport, including competitive sport.

“The Tory-led Government’s ill-informed decision to scrap the entire grant for school sports prompted an angry backlash – and forced a rethink. But this survey shows that nothing has changed.”