Sport cuts are ticking time bomb, warns GP

AN ALMOST 25% fall in funding for sports and recreation services across Wales has been branded “disastrous” by an outspoken GP.

The average amount spent by Welsh councils per person fell from £39.95 in 2009-10 to just £30 in 2014-15, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

Dr Phil White said the fall in funding was a ticking time bomb underneath Wales’ growing obesity crisis.

“It is disastrous that funding for these types of facilities is falling,” Dr White said.

“One of the best things that I can do as a doctor is encourage people who are obese to take more exercise.

“But how can they if the services are being cut?”

The amount spent on sports facilities is decided individually by each council, resulting in a lot of variation across Wales.

Caerphilly council spent the most per head, with an average of £51 per resident being spent.

But in the Vale of Glamorgan just £14 is spent per person – a whopping £37 difference.

In Cardiff, spending is £4 bellow the Welsh average, with £26 spent a year per person.

But in 2012 the council spent £40 per person.

Dr White believes the problem is being exacerbated by a lack of joined-up thinking between councils and central government.

He said: “This is a wider cultural problem in our society. PE is just as important as maths.

“If we don’t spend the money now we are just building up the problems for the future.

“But the problem is local authorities are being forced to make savings and b **** r the consequences for health. There needs to be someone co-ordinating it at the centre.”

Almost 57% of Welsh adults are overweight or obese, according to Public Health Wales.

Academics at Swansea University have estimated that obesity costs the NHS in Wales £73m a year.

Dr White said urgent action is required and that cutting funds spent on sport is shortsighted.

He said: “Colleagues of mine have discussed prescribing Weight Watchers to help deal with this emerging crisis.

“At the same time, we are cutting spending on sports and schools are selling their playing fields. It doesn’t make any sense.”

The Welsh Local Government Association declined to comment.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are working with partners on projects to support people to be more active, including free swimming.

“Sport Wales is providing significant funding to grassroots sports.”