PE funding and the true cost of obesity | Letter

The possible cuts to Whitehall’s physical education funding left one misty-eyed for that jargonistic catchphrase of the Blair era: joined-up government (Government row breaks out over plan to cut spending for PE in England’s schools, 27 January).

Coincidentally, your story appeared hours after the NHS published data from its Health Survey England. Inevitably, the 2024 data revealed another rise in the percentage of adults in England who were obese or overweight – reaching 66%, compared with 53% in 1993. About 30% of adults were obese. The survey again illustrated the links between deprivation, obesity and ill-health.

As the survey noted, it is estimated that obesity and related illnesses cost the NHS £6.5bn in 2022. However, the economic and social costs are much greater than that. It is a significant factor in the surging health/disability-related benefits bill as people leave the workforce early – distorting local labour markets and shrinking the tax base needed to meet those rising welfare costs. The government really needs to learn that prevention – including inculcating a love of physical activity – is better than cure.
Prof Les Mayhew
Bayes Business School