Women’s soccer ought to air 3pm Saturdays to ‘encourage lazy Brits off the couch’
Politicians want to rip up the long-standing TV blackout on live matches between 2.45pm and 5.15pm to boost interest in sport. They’re warning that Britain is falling behind Europe
The MPs are hoping to get lazy folks off the sofa and moving instead(Image: Getty Images)
Women’s football should be shown at 3pm on Saturdays to encourage lazy Brits off the sofa and get the nation moving, MPs say.
Politicians want to rip up the long-standing TV blackout on live matches between 2.45pm and 5.15pm to boost interest in sport. The move is part of a wider bid to tackle the UK’s couch potato crisis – with calls for a “war” on killjoy “no ball games” signs.
A report from the Commons culture, media and sport committee warns Britain is falling behind Europe when it comes to fitness. More than a third of adults are classed as inactive.
That is far worse than countries like Finland where the figure is 17% and Sweden which sits at 23%. The UK also spends just 0.4% of public money on sport and recreation, which is about half the European average.
MPs said crumbling facilities, squeezed budgets and less focus on PE in schools are all fuelling the problem. They want pupils to get at least two hours of PE a week and be active for an hour every day.
Cheerleading has also been backed as a way to get more teenage girls involved in sport.
Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage warned Britain risks becoming a nation of spectators rather than participants. She said even small changes “make a genuine difference.”
Dame Caroline said: “Our report sets out steps big and small, from ensuring access for people of all ages to sports like bowls, pickleball and padel through social prescribing to waging a war on ‘no ball games’ signs, that could make a genuine difference. We’re a country of sport lovers when it comes to supporting our stars at home and abroad, but there are too many barriers stopping people from getting up and giving it a go themselves at school and clubs in our communities.”
Inactivity is linked to millions of cases of serious illness each year, including diabetes and depression, piling pressure on the NHS. MPs say simple changes, such as showing more live sport and scrapping “no ball games” signs could give lethargic Brits a kick up the bum.
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