Funding | Governing Bodies seek commitment
Governing bodies for sport in Scotland (SGBS) are calling on the SNP and Scottish Labour to fully commit to previously agreed funding arrangements for sport if they form the next Scottish Government after both parties failed to include funding pledges in their manifestos.
The last SNP Government promised to double annual sports funding to £100m by the end of Parliament but only delivered part of that increase, £20m, with a promise of the final £30m uplift by 2028.
The SNP manifesto, which covers a number of sports policies, however, did not mention any commitment to maintaining that uplift prompting concern among sports bodies especially as elsewhere it promised to fulfil a similar pledge made to increase funding to £100m annually for the culture sector and even proposes finding another £50m.
Labour made no mention of funding in their manifesto despite giving vocal support in Parliament to the SGBS’ Running on Empty (RoE) campaign last year that helped put the issue into the spotlight. Other parties, with the exception of Reform UK, committed to delivering real term increases to sports funding.
The RoE campaign last year highlighted the significant impact that standstill funding, increased costs and demand had had on sports bodies across Scotland over the last five years some of whom warned they were struggling to deliver basic services.
The SGBS have written to First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar asking them to commit to the uplift ahead of the Holyrood vote on May 7.
SNP manifesto
The SNP manifesto has a number of laudable sports policies and mentions £40m committed to sport this year but that figure includes a one off £20m for a “summer of sport”. There was no mention of any commitment to the £100m annual figure or indeed any mention of ongoing support.
There was a £5m Taster Fund that focused on six sports, but it was unclear if that is ongoing or a one off. Other sports policies included a focus on bringing more major events to Scotland and free swimming lessons for primary school pupils.
Labour manifesto
Labour said they would promote sports in schools including a guaranteed chance to swim for all P5 pupils, establish a Major Events Bureau, extend pilots of alcohol sales at football matches and partner with Scotland’s sporting associations, to promote the health and community benefits of sport across the country and to people from all backgrounds but no commitment to funding the uplift.
Doc McKelvey, chair of the SGBS CEO/COO Forum and chief executive of Scottish Gymnastics said:
“Sport, as acknowledged in both manifestos, plays a huge part in improving public health, community cohesion and showcasing Scotland on the world stage. Our governing bodies represent over 800,000 members all across Scotland. The last five years have been the most challenging we have ever faced.
“The recent uplift, of around £20m per year, which amounts to 40% of the promised increase, was very welcome and work is ongoing to deliver that to the front line, but it doesn’t solve the issue. For that, we need, at the very least, a commitment to fulfilling the next £30m which is why we are asking those likeliest to be the next First Minister to give this commitment.”
The SGBS recently published their own sports manifesto (see below) with the funding uplift at the heart alongside a call to give the Sports Minister’s role more prominence.
“It was pleasing to see both parties committing to supporting more major events in Scotland, something that was also in our recent manifesto for sport, but our main focus has to be ensuring governing bodies have the right resources to do their job,” Doc McKelvey added.
Notes
The Scottish Governing Body for Sport (SGBS) CEO/COO Forum represents senior leaders in sports across Scotland. Around 800,000 people (15% of the Scottish population) are members of just under 8,000 sports clubs affiliated to SGBS.
From research commissioned in partnership with DCMS, UK Sport and the other home country sports councils, sport directly contributes £6.7 billion to the total output of the Scottish economy (nearly 2.5%). The sector supports nearly 70,000 full time jobs, 3.4% of total Scottish FTE.
The Running on Empty campaign was supported by over 30 sports as part of the wider work of the SGBS Forum.
Badminton Scotland, Basketball Scotland, Bowls Scotland, Boxing Scotland, Commonwealth Games Scotland, Cricket Scotland, Horse Scotland, Judo Scotland, Mountaineering Scotland, Netball Scotland, Paddle Scotland, Ramblers Scotland, Royal Yachting Association Scotland, Scottish Archery Association, Scottish Curling, Scottish Cycling, Scottish Disability Sport, Scottish Fencing, Scottish Football Association, Scottish Golf, Scottish Gymnastics, Scottish Handball Association, Scottish Hockey Union, Scottish Orienteering Association, Scottish Rowing, Scottish Rugby, Scottish Squash, Scottish Student Sport, Scottish Surfing Association, Scottish Swimming, Scottish Target Shooting, Scottish Volleyball, Scottish Athletics, Snowsport Scotland, Table Tennis Scotland, Tennis Scotland, The Camanachd Association, Triathlon Scotland, Waterski & Wakeboard Scotland
SGBS Manifesto for Holyrood
Sport is a strategic national asset for Scotland, and governing bodies are key partners in delivering these national priorities. Sport makes an increasing contribution to health and wellbeing, strong communities, economic growth, education and Scotland’s international reputation. The Scottish Government should recognise this by delivering on its commitment to double annual investment in sport to £100 million by 2028, providing the stability and confidence required to maximise sport’s impact for the nation.
Funding: deliver the commitment to double annual investment in sport to £100 million, with a sustained focus on participation through club and community sport, facilities and the capacity of governing bodies. Existing spending commitments should be embedded in the next Programme for Government, with the £30 million uplift delivered in the 2028–29 Budget and maintained, ensuring long-term stability and impact across the sporting system.
Minister: formally recognise sport’s national value by establishing a clear and visible Minister for Sport and Active Life, aligned within the Health portfolio and working across government. This role would provide leadership and accountability for maximising sport’s contribution to prevention, wellbeing, economic growth, social value and community resilience.
Major events: Scotland’s success in hosting major sporting events is exceptional for a nation of our size. These events showcase Scotland internationally while supporting governing bodies to grow visibility, inspire participation and strengthen pathways into sport. The Scottish Government should work in closer partnership with governing bodies through the national events strategy ‘Scotland: The Perfect Stage’, to deliver a coherent, long-term and cost-effective pipeline of major sporting events, maximising legacy and return on public investment.