Britain’s couch-potato culture is creating a “lost generation” of obese and physically inactive teenagers, as new figures show grassroots sports participation is plunging, councils warn.

Latest figures show the number of people aged 16 and above taking part in sport at least once a week has slumped by 400,000 since the 2012 Olympics, from 15,890,400 people in 2011-12 to 15,491,200 in 2014-15.



Meanwhile, new figures show the extent of the country's obesity crisis says The Local Government Association (LGA). More than 135 people with diabetes have a leg, foot or toe amputated each week and four out of five of these amputations are preventable. It is estimated that obesity costs the NHS £4.2 billion a year and physical inactivity about £1.1 billion.

Nearly half a billion pounds is awarded by Sport England, the governing body, to national sports bodies to increase participation. Out of the 46 sports only six (athletics, cycling, netball, table tennis, archery and fencing) have so far shown a significant rise in participation rates.

The LGA, which represents more than 370 councils, says it is imperative national funding is devolved through Sport England to councils and local partners in a bid to boost active lifestyles and in turn reduce obesity and ease pressure on the NHS.

In a new submission to the Government, which is drawing up a new sports strategy, the LGA is calling for councils to be given greater control of how the funding is used. Currently, it is fragmented across various government departments and agencies.

The LGA is calling on the Government and Sport England to rebalance future funding away from national sports bodies and directly into grassroots sports programmes.

Cllr Ian Stephens, Chairman of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board said: “We are in the midst of a full-blown obesity crisis which is being exacerbated by plunging levels of grassroots sports participation. This is creating a lost generation of obese kids and putting the NHS under enormous pressure.

“Councils are best-placed to reach those who play sport or want to start doing so, as most sport takes place in swimming pools, leisure centres, parks and open spaces owned or managed by local authorities. However, they are being hamstrung by a national funding system which is not fit for purpose.

“Local government has seen its funding reduced by 40 per cent since 2010, including a recent £200 million cut to the in-year public health budget, while trying to protect vital services like caring for the elderly, fixing the roads and maintaining bin collections.

“Councils need the opportunity to spend this sports funding in the most effective way – on the parks, playing fields and facilities where it can best reach the most people to get active and feel healthier.

“Local authorities already have a great track record in areas where they have teamed up with certain sports to boost participation, such as in cycling and tennis and this should be available to all local authorities to expand upon. The Premier League’s recent announcement of investment in school sport is helpful but funding is also needed for the other, less wealthy sports so that as many people as possible can benefit.”