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A decade of Labour initiatives and targets on healthy lifestyles have failed to get Britons to take part in exercise, Health Secretary Andy Burnham admitted today.
In his first big speech in his new post, Mr Burnham will contrast the UK's success in winning events such as the 2012 Olympics with the failure to make an impact on a nation of "couch potatoes".
His admission will come as he announces that former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has become a government "dance champion" to encourage more people to join dance classes.
"We're really in danger of being known as the best in the world for watching sport, but one of the worst for getting out there and doing it for ourselves," he said.
Ms Burnham's frank remarks will be seized on by the Tories as proof that new Labour's targets culture and "initiativitis" had failed.
The Health Secretary revealed new research on physical activity rates in Europe and said Britain must "face an uncomfortable truth" that it is in 21st place out of 32 - "trailing way behind the pace-setters in Holland and Germany".
A third of the population fails to take even one of the recommended five 30-minute sessions of moderate exercise a week and obesity rates have worsened.
Mr Burnham is setting a 10-year goal for Britain to move up the rankings to become one of the best countries for "promoting active lifestyle". His speech, at a leisure centre in London, acknowledged that the Government is partly to blame, having made physical activity an "orphan policy" - one pushed around Whitehall. He said that it has at last found "a loving home" at his department.
Reader views (6)
Removing VAT from gym membership will make membership far more affordable
- Richard, Stafford
If wages won't get people working, and the olympics won't get people in shape, perhaps its time to cut welfare and force people off their butts?
- Trunk, US
i see what they are doing , get us all fit then they can tax us on it !!!
- Ronnie, UK
Shouldn't the headline have just read "Labour has failed"?
- Alan, East London
That's one admission of failure, how about the policies on child poverty, greehouse gasses, Unemployment, national debt, healthcare, dental services, public transport, energy supply, etc.?? 12yrs is too long to spend blaming somebody else.
- Mark, London
Try affordable local facilities. Doesn't take Einstein to work that one out!
- Dannyp, Egham
