Backed by an investment of £320 million, primary school children in Britain will receive higher quality PE lessons and better sport opportunities from next year, education secretary Gavin Williamson announced on Thursday (17).
“I am pleased to announce that we will continue to fund the PE and Sport Premium next year, so primary schools can continue to prioritise children’s physical wellbeing alongside education recovery,” Williamson said, adding that children’s physical health has “never been more important”.
Under the plan with £320mn backing, the PE and Sport Premium will encourage children to play more sport, increase their social skills, and improve their physical activity after lockdown. Schools are also expected to improve the quality of their teaching and make longer-term, sustainable changes to their PE lessons.
The funding, for the next academic year, can be used by schools alongside any money leftover from the PE and Sport Premium grant this year or last. These underspends can be used by schools until 31 July 2022, and will help them to prioritise physical activities, sport and physical education with mental health and wellbeing support, as per Department of Education.
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “Today’s announcement confirming the PE and Sport Premium for the next academic year gives schools the opportunity to improve the quality of their sport provision and plan ahead with their funding.”
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "Keeping fit and active is absolutely vital for our children's mental and physical health.”
"This £320 million package will give primary schools the funding they need to keep the next generation fit and active,” he said.
To improve children and young people’s physical activity, the government is reportedly working closely with the sector, including through investment, building core content for physical activity in school curriculum and working across the sector to produce targeted videos, guidance and support to continue to prioritise PE, sport and physical activity.
The funding on the ambitious School Sport and Activity Action Plan will be updated later this year.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)