At the heart the 10-Year Health Plan, is a commitment to tackling physical inactivity, a major contributor to long-term health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Across the country, councils are already showing what’s possible when local leadership meets community ambition. Read more.
In July 2025, the Government launched its 10-Year Health Plan, Fit for the Future, with a bold ambition: to shift the focus of healthcare from treatment to prevention. At the LGA, we welcome this vision and strongly support its emphasis on tackling physical inactivity—a major contributor to long-term health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
We know that if we want to build a healthier nation, we must make physical activity a natural part of everyday life. This isn’t just about encouraging gym memberships or weekend jogs. It’s about redesigning our communities to support active lifestyles—investing in green spaces, improving walking and cycling infrastructure, and supporting local sports and fitness initiatives. It’s a whole-society approach, and councils are at the heart of delivering it.
Local government is uniquely placed to lead this transformation. Councils understand the needs of their communities and have the partnerships, insight, and leadership to embed physical activity into planning, transport, education, and public health. Through our strategy and programmes like Leadership Essentials, we’re equipping councillors to become champions for active living.
We also recognise that physical activity must be inclusive. That means addressing barriers faced by disadvantaged groups—especially those affected by the cost-of-living crisis and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Councils are working hard to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has access to opportunities to move more and live well. Physical activity is not just a public health priority—it’s an economic one. Research shows that every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity generates over £4 in return. This includes reduced healthcare costs, improved productivity, and enhanced wellbeing. In total, physical activity contributes an estimated £148 billion in value to the UK economy and society each year.
Councils that prioritise active living are not only improving health outcomes—they’re reducing demand on NHS services, supporting local jobs, and strengthening community resilience. These are long-term savings and benefits that ripple across generations.
Across the country, councils are already demonstrating what’s possible when local leadership meets community ambition: Leeds is connecting patients with tailored physical activity options through Active Leeds and social prescribing—helping people find movement that works for them.
Bristol is redesigning streets through its Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, making walking and cycling easier while improving air quality and community cohesion.
Nottingham is encouraging families to get active together through Move More Nottingham, offering free weekend access to leisure centres and partnering with schools and clubs.
Waltham Forest has become a national leader in active travel through its award-winning Mini-Holland scheme, transforming streets to promote cycling and reduce car traffic.
Councils are proving that with the right support and investment, they can create environments where physical activity is the easy, enjoyable choice. But to maintain momentum, we need sustained funding and a meaningful role in shaping national health priorities.
As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the journey to a healthier, more prosperous nation begins in our neighbourhoods. With empowered local leadership and a shared commitment to active living, we can build a society where everyone has the opportunity to move more, live well, and thrive.
The LGA has been a strong advocate for this kind of place-based thinking. In its latest strategy, Sport and physical activity 2025-26, the LGA emphasises the importance of integrating physical activity into local planning, transport, education, and public health. Councils, they argue, are uniquely positioned to lead this change because they understand the needs of their communities and can bring together the right partners to make things happen.