Local MP, Marcus Jones, has welcomed the news that the Prime Minister David Cameron has committed to keeping the £150m a year Primary PE and Sport Premium until 2020. This means that between 2014 and 2020 primary schools in Nuneaton will receive around £1,455,348. This is part of the Government’s long-term economic plan, will secure the Olympic and Paralympic legacy, and will help to deliver the best schools for young people.

Primary schools around England are already using the premium to get children doing more sport. Schools are using the money for a wide range of activities including hiring extra professional coaches and PE specialist teachers, purchasing new equipment, offering more after-school clubs and delivering holiday and weekend activities.

Commenting, Marcus said: “Under the last Labour government there were thousands of schools where no pupils at all took part in competitive sport.

“It is great news for young people here in Nuneaton that this Government has committed £150 million a year to securing the Olympic and Paralympic legacy in our Primary Schools.

“This is part of our long-term plan to create an education system that gives young people who want to work hard the skills they need to get on in life and have a more secure and better future.”

Adding, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: “Sport is so important because it encourages children to be active, lead a healthy lifestyle, make friends and, of course, have fun. But quality school sport has benefits that spread right across the curriculum and beyond – it develops confidence and a sense of achievement, it teaches young people how to rise to a challenge, and nurtures the character and skills that will help them get on and succeed in life.

“It’s an important part of our long-term plan to deliver the best schools and skills for young people. That is why I am committing to guarantee the primary school sports funding until 2020.”