A heated dispute has erupted among government departments regarding a controversial proposal to eliminate funding for physical education in schools across England. According to insights from the Guardian, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) put forth a plan to withdraw its financial support entirely, which has raised significant concerns among various stakeholders.
Interestingly, following inquiries from the Guardian, the DHSC has indicated intentions to reverse this decision. For weeks, there were private assurances that the funding would cease, but recent developments suggest that ministers have intervened to halt these cuts.
Meanwhile, the Department for Education (DfE) is also considering its own reductions in PE funding as part of anticipated changes in the upcoming curriculum review. The goal of these adjustments is to ensure that students receive a minimum of two hours of physical education. This initiative aims to foster collaborations with sports organizations to achieve greater efficiency in delivering sports programs.
However, sources within Whitehall have expressed concerns that the combined proposed cuts from both the DHSC and DfE could jeopardize these plans. Such reductions could undermine the commitments made by Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition, to expand access to sports for children in schools.
The proposal noted by the Guardian reveals that the DHSC, led by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, intends to eliminate its annual contribution of approximately £60 million starting in the 2026/27 fiscal year. Additionally, the DfE is contemplating its own budget cuts amounting to a similar £60 million. In an effort to mediate this conflict, Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, is expected to step in over the next few days.
Currently, the DHSC is responsible for about 20% of the total funding allocated to physical education, while the remaining portion comes from the DfE, with a minimal contribution from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
These proposed funding cuts come at a time when there is an increasing alarm regarding children's inactivity, which has been linked to rising obesity rates and persistent health disparities. Organizations such as Sport England have raised awareness about the troubling trend of inactivity among young individuals, noting that fewer than half of all children meet the physical activity guidelines set by the chief medical officer.
Recent government statistics published last year indicate a notable decline in the number of hours dedicated to physical education in secondary schools, with nearly 4,000 hours lost. The most significant reduction has impacted students aged 11 to 14, a demographic that is concurrently witnessing the fastest increase in obesity rates.
The Youth Sport Trust issued a warning last year, revealing that nearly 20% of students experienced cancellations of their PE classes during the current academic year. Furthermore, 71% of young people indicated a desire to engage in more physical activity at school.
In the lead-up to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament, Starmer emphasized the critical importance of ensuring access to sports for students. He affirmed the government’s commitment to providing "equal access to high-quality PE and sports," urging schools to publicly share their PE and sports offerings.
"I’m thrilled that we are acting on your request to guarantee these opportunities, potentially paving the way for students to represent England one day," Starmer remarked.
The changes to PE proposed by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, set to take effect next year, will replace the existing sports premium system with a network of partnerships focused on PE and school sports. This new approach will mandate that students participate in at least two hours of physical activity each week and will promote collaboration between schools and local sports organizations.
Moreover, schools will be required to publicly showcase their sports programs to parents, aimed at addressing regional disparities in access to sports.
In November of the previous year, Streeting affirmed his department's dedication to assisting schools in combating childhood obesity. "This government will not turn a blind eye while our children’s health deteriorates, even as critics urge us to abandon them. Childhood obesity robs kids of a healthy start in life, leads to lifelong health issues, and burdens the NHS with immense costs," he stated in response to alarming new figures on childhood obesity.
"Today’s data reveals the scale of the challenge and underscores the urgency for action, which we are undertaking across schools, sports facilities, and the digital landscape to make healthy choices the easy ones."
