Written question asked by Hugh Robertson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 May 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 June 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 6 June 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

School Sport

Question: (2) how much of the £750 million pledged to school sport has been (a) committed and (b) spent.

Answer: The results from the first PE, School Sport and Club Links survey (published on 29 April 2004) showed that 62 per cent. of 5 to 16-year-olds are participating in at least two hours high quality PE and school sport each week. The survey covers information—taken independently—from over 6,500 schools that were in School Sport Partnerships at that time. We hope to publish the results of the second annual survey in September 2005.Over 3,000 schools in England are benefiting directly from £686 million investment to enhance school sport facilities from the Big Lottery Fund (previously the New Opportunities Fund). £750 million represents the total budget for the United Kingdom. To date, £622 million of the total £750 million budget has already been allocated to projects and is therefore in the process of being drawn down. £70.4 million has been spent. This reflects the fact that the programme was always intended to be a 5–6 year programme, with most projects starting on site during 2004–05.

Secondary information