TOO MUCH OBESITY - TOO LITTLE SPORT

Following today's report on Tackling Obesity, the Conservatives can reveal that there is a direct correlation between a rise in child obesity since 1999 and a cut in funding for sport from the lottery funds from 25% in 1998 to 16% in 2006.

Commenting, Shadow Minister for Sport, Hugh Robertson said: “The report highlights the extent of the problem facing Britain’s future generation. Obesity is, and will continue to be a sad fact of life for Britain’s children and the role of sport in schools is an obvious solution to this problem. Sport not only enhances social well-being but is a necessary part of a child’s healthy routine.

“The lottery funds are not part of the Government’s personal piggy bank, and it is crucial that they are returned to the four good causes which the lottery funds were originally designed for."