Funding cuts & distribution for community sport and leisure services

This week the annual 2017 Wales budget breakdown was released, providing some transparency for the people. It was revealed by the BBC that Health Wellbeing & Sport department in UK received £7.2bn in 2017- a 0.72% increase. Along with this, communities and children have received a 5.38% increase in funding to now £397m. 

Community sport and leisure funding within Wales has been the lowest it has been in the last 11 years. Welsh councils revealed that they spent £39.95 in 2009-10 on the average with funding. In 2014-25, this dropped to £30; then even further the following year to £26.33. See below the Wales Online statsWales for total council sports and recreation funding.

In my local county, Gwynedd, the local council spent £35.61 on the average person. With cuts in the leisure services, there is a growing problem with obesity according to Dr White, a wide cultural problem in society. 57% of Welsh adults are overweight or obese, and 18% being classified as obese. This problem is costing the NHS in Wales approximately £73 million annually. 

It is important that we address this problem, as cuts are being made across the board therefore investment in areas such as sport and leisure, or sports within education may decrease costs on NHS. A spokesperson from Welsh government commented stating that the decision on spending is for the local authorities to decide on, but it is their focus to ensure opportunity to participate in sport is for everyone, therefore funding is provided to grassroots sports significantly.

Future foundation is a programme set by Sport Wales to improve sport participation, they highlighted the areas of regular participation in sport. Their aims are shape future of sports in Wales, by bringing it in to the 21st century. they wish to make sport ageless and more accessible to those in Wales by 2026.

Wales has been majorly effected by budget cuts, and has impacted the harder to reach groups and lower income families hardest. But if the budgets can begin to increase we could see a wider participation across the country.