Activity Alliance welcomes new Prime Minister Andy Burnham
Activity Alliance has welcomed Andy Burnham as the UK’s new Prime Minister and called on his government to build a more inclusive society where disabled people have equal opportunities to be active, participate and thrive.
Sarah Brown-Fraser, Head of Communications and Policy at Activity Alliance and Trustee for Greater Manchester Moving, said:
“We congratulate Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister and wish him every success as he begins this new chapter for the country.
“Throughout his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester, he showed how ambitious leadership, strong partnerships and a commitment to inclusion can help create meaningful change. We now urge him to take that ambition to a national level and ensure disabled people’s inclusion is embedded across government policy, investment and decision-making.
“One example was Greater Manchester’s renewed commitment to inclusive leisure, where disabled people’s lived experience helped shape priorities and action. By bringing together the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel, Greater Manchester Moving, leisure providers and Activity Alliance, partners worked collectively to create more inclusive opportunities for disabled people to be active. This kind of co-produced, system-wide approach should become the norm across the country.
“Disabled people continue to face significant and persistent barriers to being active and participating fully in society. These barriers are created by systems, environments and decisions that do not consistently consider disabled people from the outset. Real progress requires a commitment to designing inclusion in, rather than adding it on later.
“We believe every disabled person should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of being active. Sports and activities contribute not only to better health and wellbeing, but also to stronger communities and a more prosperous economy. Yet opportunities remain unequal, and too many disabled people are being left behind.
“The Prime Minister has an opportunity to lead a step change in how government approaches inclusion. We want to see disabled people’s voices reflected in decision-making and accessibility considered across all areas of public life, whether sports, education, health, and employment.
“Creating a more inclusive society is not just about removing barriers. It is about ensuring disabled people have genuine choice, control and opportunities to take part in every aspect of life.
“We all belong and Activity Alliance stands ready to work with the Prime Minister, government, sector partners and disabled people across the country. That is to build a future where all disabled people feel they belong in sports and activities, and where inclusion is recognised as a fundamental measure of national success.”
