Published October 2022
At present, there is limited evidence on the impact of the cost of living crisis on sport. This summary indicates that the available evidence demonstrates that cost of living crisis is negatively impacting sport. Access to sport and participation in physical activity is linked to socio-economic factors[1]. Those in the most deprived areas are less active and are more likely to be negatively affected by the cost of living crisis[2]. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there are ongoing facility closures and there are children and adults dropping out of sport and physical activity[3].
Volunteering
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) conduct surveys every four months in response to the covid-19 pandemic to understand the challenges that face third sector organisations. The latest data is from Summer 2022[4]:
- 93% of organisations said that they are experiencing rising costs in at least one areas of their business (86% in April 2022).
- 43% said it was having a negative impact on their ability to deliver their core services or activities.
- One in three have used their financial reserves.
- One in ten have reduced their services.
- Only one quarter of organisations reported being able to award staff a pay increase.
Sports participation and facilities
Community Leisure Scotland conducted interviews with 73% of its leisure and culture charity members. It found[5]:
- 89% of leisure and culture charities in Scotland are at risk, ranging from those in immediate crisis, to those that are approach crisis.
- Over half of members forecast a deficit budget.
- 63% are in discussions on planning for the impact of closures.
- 58% are exposed to variation in energy prices.
Sported, a network of 3,000 UK-wide community sports groups, issued a survey to 543 of its clubs. Sport England acknowledged that this survey paints a ‘concerning underlying picture’. Analysis showed[6]:
- 72% of its community groups have made changes to offset the impact of cost of living increases (e.g. energy bills), such as trying to source additional funding, seeking other venues and reducing sessions.
- Half of community groups experienced a decrease in financial support.
- A majority of its members reported increases of up to 50% in their facilities costs over the last six months.
- Four in five clubs expect the cost of living crisis will hinder children’s participation in activities over the next six months.
London Sport, issued a UK-wide survey to 2,000 adult respondents. It found[7]:
- 27% of respondents said that their had cancelled a gym subscription and/or other costs linked to exercise.
- 30% of respondents said that they were discouraged from taking part in exercise and/or sport due to associated costs.
- 27% of respondents do less exercise and/or sport due to associated costs.
- 36% of respondents said that the cost of living crisis has limited their ability to afford sport and leisure equipment and clothing.
- 33% of respondents said that they felt discouraged to use local leisure facilities (e.g. council gyms and swimming pools).
Data from Volunteer Scotland showed that 20% of adults in Scotland cannot afford to participate in sport or exercise; 13% do not have time to do sport or exercise[8].
Additional data
- According to the Good Childhood Report 2022, 27% of families have struggled with the cost of PE or sports kit over the last year[9].
[1] sportscotland (2022) Poverty and Low Income. [Online] Available from: https://sportscotland.org.uk/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-toolbox/our-characteristics/poverty-and-low-income/ (date accessed: 06/12/2022).
[2] Women in Sport (2022) Implications for Women and Girls’ Sport from the Cost-of-Living Crisis. [Online] Available from: https://womeninsport.org/statement/implications-for-women-and-girls-sport-from-the-cost-of-living-crisis/#_ftn5 (date accessed: 06/12/2022).
[3] Armour, R. (2022) Community sport becomes latest victim of cost-of-living crisis. [Online] Available from: https://tfn.scot/news/community-sport-becomes-latest-victim-of-cost-of-living-crisis#:~:text=Community%20sports%20organisations%20are%20warning%20that%20the%20cost,cost%20of%20living%20increases%20on%20their%20young%20people. (date accessed: 06/12/2022); Roan, D. (2022) Spending on sport hit by cost of living crisis, UK survey shows. [Online] Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/62147933.
[4] Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (2022) The Scottish Third Sector Tracker. [Online] Available from: https://scvo.scot/policy/research/scottish-third-sector-tracker (date accessed: 06/12/2022)
[5] Community Leisure Scotland (2022) Summary Report: Current Landscape for Leisure and Culture Charities in Scotland. [Online] Available from: https://communityleisureuk.org/work/latest-sector-landscape-reports/ (date accessed: 06/12/2022).
[6] Sported (2022) Member Survey (Facilities – Comparison by access type). [Online] Available from: https://sported.org.uk/our-work/ (date accessed: 06/12/2022).
[7] London Sport (2022)
Based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults. July 2022. Source: Home - London Sport
[8] Volunteer Scotland (2023) The Cost of Living Crisis: Quarterly Bulletin No 1.
[9] The Children’s Society (2022) The Good Childhood Report 2022.
Based on a survey of 2,000 children (aged 10 to 17) and their parent or carer. Source: The Good Childhood Report | The Children's Society (childrenssociety.org.uk)