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SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK JUL/AUG 2022 15
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Sector “holds key” to getting workforce active
Industry body, ukactive, has called on the government
and its partners to work with the sector to get the nation’s workforce active, as new research from Deloitte shows it could benefit the UK economy by up to £17bn a year.
The landmark report, Economic Health & Societal Wellbeing,
was commissioned by fitness industry body International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association on behalf of the Global Health and Fitness Alliance. The report aims to quantify the full economic and social impact
of the physical activity industry across the world on a country-
by-country basis, to help policy makers make better decisions and improve people’s health and productivity across the globe.
According to the report, physical inactivity costs
the UK’s healthcare system £3.5bn annually, of which £2.9bn is borne by the NHS. Productivity loss due to a lack of sufficient activity was valued at £13.5bn per year.
Huw Edwards, ukactive CEO, said: “These findings prove that physical activity during the working day is paramount for improving health, wellbeing, productivity and, overall, our economy.”
The report states that investing in an inactive person becoming active has a ‘payback period’ of less than one year