Gyms
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the role of independent gyms in reducing demand on NHS services.
Answered by Mrs Sharon Hodgson
Addressing physical inactivity and getting people moving more is important for improving health outcomes, reducing demand on the National Health Service, and supporting economic growth.
The leisure and fitness sector play an important role in supporting the Government’s sickness to prevention shift through providing affordable and accessible opportunities for people to increase their activity levels.
The positive impact of community sports and physical activity is clear, with Sport England research showing its social value is responsible for £15.9 billion of overall healthcare net savings accrued through the prevention of a range of chronic diseases.
The Government is acting to support more people to get active wherever they live through investing £98 million in the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26 to support facilities across the whole of the United Kingdom.
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