New Active Lives data shows activity levels rising, but many communities still face barriers to being active.
More adults than ever before in England are meeting the recommended levels of physical activity according to new figures released by Sport England. The data also highlights that progress is not being shared equally, with persistent inequalities affecting who gets to benefit from being active.
According to Sport England’s latest Active Lives data, almost 70% of York and North Yorkshire adults are now achieving the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week, which is close to the national average of almost 64.6%. Despite this encouraging local picture, women, people living in more deprived communities, disabled people, and some ethnic minority groups remain significantly less likely to be active.
The latest Active Lives data, whilst showing a slight increase in activity levels over the past year, highlights that 20.6% of adults in York and North Yorkshire do less than 30 minutes physical activity per week, that is equivalent to 146,800 adults classed as inactive across our area highlighting the scale of the challenge that still exists.
While many parts of North Yorkshire benefit from strong community sport, green spaces and health and wellbeing centres, people living in rural isolation, lower‑income households, and those facing health or wellbeing challenges can still find it difficult to access opportunities that fit their lives.
Place, confidence and cost remain key barriers
Sport England’s analysis shows that inactivity levels remain highest in more deprived areas and among people facing long‑term health conditions or disabilities. Cost‑of‑living pressures, confidence, transport challenges and lack of locally relevant opportunities continue to prevent many people from taking part.
In large and geographically diverse counties like York and North Yorkshire, these barriers can be compounded by distance, limited public transport, and fewer services in smaller communities.
North Yorkshire Sport is working with partners across health, local government, voluntary organisations and community groups to address these challenges, with a focus on:
- Designing activities led by trusted local organisations
- Supporting informal and low‑cost ways to be active
- Removing practical barriers such as transport, timing and accessibility
- Ensuring activity spaces are inclusive, safe and welcoming
David Watson, Chief Executive at North Yorkshire Sport, said:
“It’s positive to see more people across England becoming active. However, these figures underline a challenge we see every day in York and North Yorkshire. Activity isn’t equally accessible for everyone.
Over 146,000 adults across our area currently inactive. We know that where someone lives, their income, their health and how connected they feel to their community all play a part.
North Yorkshire Sport are proud to be at the forefront of the work to reduce these inequalities, investing over £3M on behalf of Mayor Skaith into movement, activity and sport and active travel funding programmes.”
Commenting on the latest data, Sports Minister, Stephanie Peacock said:
“It’s great to see that more people are getting active, but inequalities within who is taking part still exist.
“We believe that everyone should be able to reap the benefits of sport and physical activity. That’s why the Government is taking a place-based approach to sport funding to make sure the right facilities reach the right communities.”
A long‑term commitment to tackling inequalities
The national findings reinforce the importance of focusing on systemic change through long‑term, place‑based investment and collaboration. North Yorkshire Sport supports Sport England’s emphasis on tackling inequality by focusing resources where they can make the greatest difference.
North Yorkshire Sport will continue to work with local partners to turn national insight into meaningful local action. Helping more people move, more often, across the county.
