, leader of the Labour Party,
has today (Monday 22 April) declared that ‘patriotism is a force
for good' in English sport, as he pledges unwavering commitment
to reverse the damaging decline in young people accessing team
sports like football.
Making the intervention ahead of St George's Day, Starmer has
today said that only by harnessing the strength of England's
national pride can we breed the next generation of English
sporting talent in football. The Labour leader also today
outlines the Party's unwavering commitment to reversing the
damaging decline in team sports participation at state schools
across the country under the Conservatives.
In a key intervention, Starmer makes clear that in every corner
of the country, the pride felt in our sporting heroes and
national teams runs deep in the nation's psyche. It's central to
forming the identity of young people, and our national teams
exemplify so much of what it means to English. The sense of
confidence, pride and patriotism that English sport instils in
our young people is clear for all to see and is a force for good.
But young people are being locked out of emulating their heroes
thanks to a decline in PE provision.
As more and more children are shut out of finding their passion
in team sports, England misses out on the potential of the next
generation of talent. Analysis of Sports England data reveals a
gulf in sports participation between state and independent
schools. In 2022/23, 72% of children at an independent school
took part in a team sport at least once a week in school,
compared to just 52% of state school pupils. This gap in
participation has widened rapidly since 2017, increasing by
two-thirds in just 6 years.
The analysis will fuel concerns that a decline in PE hours and
teachers under the Conservatives is having a knock-on effect on
school participation. In the last year, the number of taught PE
hours has fallen by 5,000, contributing to an overall decline of
45,000 since November 2010.
The chasm in sport participation and enjoyment between genders is
alarming. Despite the historic success of the Lionesses, girls
are still three times less likely than boys to take part in
football at secondary school, and half as likely to say they feel
confident playing sports.
Alongside a commitment to equal access to football for girls, the
Labour Party has pledged to ensure that every child has the
chance to be active at school, and reform the curriculum to
ensure that children attending state schools don't miss out on
valuable subjects like PE, sports and art. The Party has also
committed to rolling out 6,500 specialist teachers to improve
standards of teaching in every subject across the country.
Labour's full-throated backing of promoting patriotic values
marks a significant change from previous Party leaders. Hailing
the power of pride in communities, Starmer today hosts a flagship
Shadow Cabinet meeting outside of Westminster in a location deep
within the English countryside. The Labour politicians will
highlight the importance of backing English industry and
business, from steelworks in Scunthorpe to gaming in Leamington
Spa, to aerospace engineering in Bristol, working hand in hand
with devolved nations to drive growth in every corner of the
country.
The visit also comes ahead of St George's Day, as Starmer says
the cross of St. George should belong to every person who loves
this country and seeks to make it better, and is a symbol of
pride, belonging and inclusion.
Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said:
"The pride we feel in our sporting heroes and national teams runs
deep in the country's psyche. It forms our identity and is a
cornerstone of our national life, and our national teams
exemplify so much of what it means to English.
"When I speak to young people up and down the country, the
confidence, pride and patriotism that comes with national sport
is clear for all to see. And that patriotism is a force for good
in English sport. But young people are being locked out of
emulating their heroes. With a widening access gap between state
and private schools, girls and boys, and a damaging decline in PE
hours, countless children are being shut out of finding their
passion under this government.
"I fell in love with football from an early age and fondly look
back on the hours I spent with a ball at my feet, bouncing from
pitch to pitch with my friends. Like countless others, it boosted
my confidence and shaped my identity. But many young people now
don't have that same opportunity. That's why my Labour Party will
ensure that every child has the chance to be active at school and
reform the curriculum to strengthen PE, sports and arts access.
We must widen access for the next generation, because if playing
team sports is the preserve of a handful of children, we will
simply miss out on the talents of so many. Only by harnessing our
pride and patriotism can we reverse this damaging decline,
develop the talent of future stars, and cement national pride in
sports for years to come."
