In advance of Spring Statement on Wednesday 26 March, Goalball UK joined members of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, sector partners and organisations from across the sport, recreation, and physical activity space who have come together to highlight the potential significant adverse impacts of the Government’s proposed changes to health and disability benefits and employment support – set out in Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support Green Paper – on disabled people and participation in sport, recreation and physical activity.
The changes risk creating even greater barriers for disabled people to access the physical and mental health benefits of an active lifestyle and undermining progress made by Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy in tackling inactivity and social isolation among disabled people.
As organisations – and a sector more broadly – we remain committed to working with the Government to discuss and help address the issues highlighted and drive positive change.
Mark Winder, CEO Goalball UK said:
“The proposed changes to health and disability benefits could severely hinder the progress we’ve made in making sport accessible to people who are blind or partially sighted. It’s crucial that the government understands the real-world impact these policies will have on their ability to lead active, fulfilling lives. We’re committed to working with them to find solutions that support, rather than undermine, inclusion in sport.”
You can read the full open letter to the Government through the following link – open letter to government
