Ensuring that children are able to take part in regular physical activity is an important way to protect the health of our young people.

The Get Active sports strategy was announced last year and states the cross-government ambition that all children should meet the guidelines of the Chief Medical Officers on physical activity (of taking part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day, or 20 minutes for children with a disability).

This strategy has the task of ensuring a million more active children by 2030.

Just over a year ago, a funding package of more than £600 million was announced by the Government to boost school sport. This included confirming funding for the PE and School Sport Premium and the School Games Organisers network until the end of the summer term in 2025.

Also pledged was a commitment to refresh the School Games Mark and introduce new equality criteria: where primary and secondary schools will be rewarded for successfully delivering equal opportunities for girls and boys.

The School Games Mark offers recognition of a school’s commitment to the development of competition, and this standard was achieved by some 8,000 schools in the 2022-23 academic year.

This includes just over 500 schools securing Platinum status: the highest award that can be achieved through this initiative.

Three of these are in Crawley and I congratulate Milton Mount Primary School, St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School and Three Bridges Primary School on securing the Platinum School Games Mark award.

It is right that we look to set young people up for a lifetime of physical activity and delivering equal access to school sport is crucial in securing this.

In doing so it is also necessary to ensure facilities are in place for the community as a whole.

Such projects locally have seen more than £420,000 of investment in sports facilities in Crawley.

In November I welcomed the announcement of over £290,000 of Swimming Pool Support Fund backing for K2 Crawley. We know how vital it is for people to be active and to cut obesity rates: swimming can be an important activity for so many people.

Investment locally has also included the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme which has seen funding allocated for new goalposts and storage facilities. The Park Tennis Court Renovations Programme has ensured refurbishment of tennis courts and related facilities in Maidenbower, Southgate and West Green.

By ensuring investment in such facilities we can see people of all ages are supported to keep active, increase participation throughout our town, and inspire and encourage the next generation.

I would like to wish a happy Easter to everyone in Crawley.

Henry Smith MP