IRON LADIES is a new documentary about the inspirational women who were the backbone of the 84/85 Miners’ Strike, as told by them.
From Scotland down to Kent, women from the coalfields shed light on their experiences of the year long struggle trying to save their communities. The film features Carol Ross from Cowdenbeath and Linda Erskine from Lochgelly, and they will both be appearing at the Edinburgh screening for a Q&A.
Shut Out The Light Filmsis thrilled to announce that their upcoming documentary Iron Ladies will be released in UK and Irish cinemas from 10th October.
The inspiring story of working-class women who, during the 1984–85 Miners’ Strike, found themselves at the forefront of a battle against the British state.
From Scotland down to Kent, women from the coalfields shed light on their experiences of the year long struggle, and how they became the backbone of the Strike. With many still active today, their actions reshaped the landscape of political activism for working-class women.
Directed by Daniel Draper(Nature of the Beast), Iron Ladies is a celebration of the iron willed women who maintained the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike as they fought for the future of their communities.
Iron Ladies shines a spotlight on the previously overlooked narratives of women, who still fight for their communities today. Heather Wood, Lorraine Stansbie, Rose Hunter, Kate Alvey, Betty Cook, and Aggie Currie are amongst the 20 unsung working-class heroes to share their stories.
Speaking on the film being released in UK and Irish cinemas producer Christie Allanson said “Working-class narratives by working-class filmmakers are a rarity.
“The communal viewing of this film on the big screen is important to spark those conversations about the political landscape past and present.
“The funding, the approach to filmmaking and the contributors all have one thing in common – passion. As the producer, I feel inspired and empowered by these women, and I hope audiences will feel that way too.”
Iron Ladies will be in UK and Irish Cinemas from 10th October
Edinburgh screening with Q & A is on Friday 21st November at 6.15pm
Home Office data shows 2024/25 saw 42 per cent increase in firework incidents compared to 2023/24
3,500+ incidents linked to human error since 2010
Organised displays remain the safest option
As an increasing number of organised fireworks displays across the UK are cancelled this year, safety charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is warning of increased risks from home-based celebrations.
Cancellations in London, Edinburgh and other locations come amid a 42 per cent rise in fireworks-related fire incidents, prompting urgent calls for caution ahead of Bonfire Night. New data shows 264 incidents occurred in 2024/25, up from 185 the previous year.
The figures, drawn from Home Office statistics, highlight a worrying trend in unsafe firework use. Most incidents involved “other primary fires,” which include outdoor fires in bins, grassland, and vehicles, likely caused by improper handling or disposal of fireworks.
Fireworks are a leading cause of seasonal fire injuries and property damage in the UK. Despite ongoing safety campaigns, human error remains the primary factor in over 75 per cent of incidents.
Organised events offer safer – as well as more spectacular – displays. However, anyone intending on using fireworks at home should remember the following important safety tips:
Only adults should handle fireworks
Avoid alcohol if you are lighting fireworks
Store fireworks in a closed box
Always light fireworks at arm’s length with a taper
Never return to a firework after lighting
Direct rockets well away from spectators.
Always buy fireworks with a CE or UKCA mark
Sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures and must be handled with care.
Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager at RoSPA, said: “Fireworks are powerful explosives, not toys. Only adults should handle them and never mix alcohol with lighting fireworks.
“Store them safely in a closed box, light at arm’s length with a taper, and never go back to a lit firework. Always buy CE or UKCA-marked products, aim rockets away from people, and remember sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures — treat them with care.
“The shocking rise in incidents over the past year is a stark reminder of the dangers they pose when misused. We strongly advise families to attend organised displays wherever possible, as they are far safer than home-based celebrations.”
HMRC encourages families to start financial conversations this Talk Money Week (3 to 7 November) using the HMRC app.
More than 5.6 million people have accessed the app this tax year.
The app is a quick and easy way to get information about your tax, National Insurance and State Pension forecast.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging families to start financial discussions and use the HMRC app during Talk Money Week (3 to 7 November) as it reveals its most popular app services.
This year’s Talk Money Week theme is ‘start the conversation’ and the HMRC app provides tax and financial information for all ages. People can view and save their National Insurance number, claim Child Benefit and check their State Pension forecast.
More than 5.6 million people have used the HMRC app since 6 April 2025 and the most popular services include:
checking their pay before it lands in their bank account and other Pay As You Earn (PAYE) information – 4.14 million users
viewing their annual tax summary – 1.94 million users
viewing or saving their National Insurance number or checking contributions – 1.79 million users
checking their State Pension forecast – 1.49 million users
viewing their Self Assessment summary and making payments – 1.19 million users
The whole family can help each other with financial planning, whether it’s grandparents helping their teen grandchildren understand National Insurance, or discussions on how to check State Pension forecasts. Anyone can join the millions of customers using the HMRC app to get frank family financial conversations started.
People can download the HMRC app to their Android or iPhone. Once set up, they can start using it straight away to view their tax information or update personal information, for example their name or address.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:“It’s not always easy talking about finances, especially between generations. As part of Talk Money Week, we’re encouraging families to lean into talking about money.
“From budgeting tips to tax basics, the HMRC app makes it easy to access tax information and kick start those important conversations. You can download the HMRC app today.”
HMRC has today launched its refreshed HMRC app campaign to encourage people to be ‘On It’ and use its digital services. People using these services can access information and be reassured that tasks like claiming Child Benefit, signing up to Help to Save or claiming a tax refund, are completed.
10-year-old Brooke enjoyed an exclusive tour from Castle of Light’s enchanting Ice Queen this week, catching a first glimpse at the dazzling displays set to transform Edinburgh Castle after dark as the UK’s largest annual projection show prepares to open later this month.
Illuminating the capital’s skyline for a sixth year, Castle of Light: Fire and Ice promises to captivate audiences with extraordinary installations, interactive moments and atmospheric storytelling, with an all-new show inspired by the elemental forces of fire and ice.
Running for seven weeks throughout the festive season, on select dates from Friday 21 November 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026, guests will journey through a fortress of light and encounter mythical creatures, from a mighty dragon soaring across the night sky to the Ice Queen herself in the Great Hall.
In celebration of St Andrew’s Day, a special £10 ticket offer will be available to all visitors attending on Sunday 30 November making it the perfect opportunity to experience the after-dark spectacular.
Brought together by a consortium of the finest digital and visual talent in Scotland, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, Castle of Light continues to be a must-see for locals and visitors alike in the city’s packed festive schedule, blending cutting-edge creativity with centuries of Scottish heritage.
More than 100 pupils from 13 schools transformed into world leaders at the University of Edinburgh last week, engaging in high-stakes climate crisis negotiations to mirror the upcoming UN COP30 conference in Belém, Brazil.
In a United Nations debate simulation organised by the British Council in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and Learning for Sustainability Scotland, students experienced firsthand the complex challenges of international climate diplomacy.
Using cutting-edge simulation software developed by MIT, the pupils took on roles as delegates from major nations, corporate lobbyists, and international media representatives, all working to tackle the critical goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C.
During the negotiations, the pupils had to collectively agree on how much to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, how they would help struggling nations, and agree on ways to adapt to climate change to protect their cities and people.
Leading the negotiations were pupils Siri Isaksson-Galbraith and Alyssa Haston, from West Calder High School who shared the role of the United Nations Secretariat (top).
Speaking in their role as UN Secretary Generals, they had a message for world leaders ahead of COP30 in Brazil:“Today in Edinburgh, we’ve experienced firsthand how difficult climate negotiations can be, but also how essential they are. We’ve learned that every country has different challenges, but we all share the same planet and the same future.
“The decisions being made at COP30 will shape our lives, our communities, and our world. We urge world leaders to listen to youth voices, to act with urgency, and to remember that compromise doesn’t mean giving up on ambition.
“The climate crisis affects us all, but it doesn’t affect us equally. We must ensure that those most vulnerable are heard and supported. From Scotland to Brazil, young people are ready to lead, but we need action now.”
Did they reach a consensus?
The challenge was to negotiate between countries to keep warming under 2°C by the end of the century, and to aim for under 1.5°C. By the end of the debate, pupils collectively agreed to keep global warming at 1.6°C, just over the mark of the Paris Agreement target. This means they were over the target, but made headway with strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support nations, and develop adaptation measures to protect cities and people.
The debate simulation was led by climate expert Professor Pete Higgins, Chair in Outdoor, Environmental and Sustainability Education at the University of Edinburgh.
Speaking at the event, Professor Pete Higgins said:“Today’s debate couldn’t be more timely. We’re living through a period of significant political uncertainty, which makes climate diplomacy more complex than ever.
“What impressed me most was how quickly these young people grasped the competing priorities and difficult trade-offs involved, whilst maintaining their determination to find common ground.
“Young people often feel powerless when it comes to climate change, but events like this show that they have both the understanding and the diplomatic skills to navigate these challenges. My hope is that the negotiators at COP30 will show the same wisdom and commitment to meaningful action that these young citizens have demonstrated today.”
Claire de Braekeleer, Director British Council Scotlandadded: “This UN debate simulation puts young people in Scotland at the heart of the global climate debate.
“As COP30 starts in Belém next week, these pupils are gaining crucial insights into how these climate negotiations work. They are also building the diplomatic skills and understanding that will be vital for the international cooperation we desperately need.
“We believe that young people are the key to driving positive climate action, and today demonstrates how collaborating globally with empathy and understanding is the way forward.”
The simulation was part of the British Council’s Schools Connect programme, which aims to bring international perspectives into the curriculum. Students engaged in realistic debates, negotiated complex agreements, and balanced competing interests of nations.
Through the Climate Connection programme, the British Council is also supporting people globally to find creative solutions to climate change in support of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.
The British Council is supporting the summit by engaging with networks of education professionals, students, academics, researchers, artists, civil society leaders and policymakers to participate in meaningful dialogue and bring about real change for our planet.
This initiative continues the work of the British Council’s Schools Connect programme for schools in the UK and around the world, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching.
For more information about the British Council’s work in Scotland, visit:
Delivering extra appointments and procedures for patients
Health boards will receive an additional £25.5 million this year to allow them to deliver more planned care appointments and procedures to reduce long waits for patients, First Minister John Swinney has announced.
The additional funding will support the delivery of more outpatient appointments and inpatient/day case procedures across a variety of specialities including orthopaedics, dermatology, general surgery and gynaecology. Cardiology and paediatrics will also get extra funding.
This new support takes total additional investment to £135.5 million in 2025-26 to help the National Health Service maintain progress on reducing waiting lists.
Recent figures show the total list size and longest waits are coming down. There has also been an increase of more than 31,000 appointments and procedures from April to September this year compared to same period in 2024.
Speaking during a visit to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, the First Minister said: “The latest figures show our plan to support Scotland’s NHS is working, delivering real benefits for patients.
“We have already provided £110 million of additional targeted funding this year to tackle the longest waits. Now we are providing a further boost to deliver more appointments and procedures, taking the total additional funding to £135.5 million for 2025-26.
“I am determined to build on the progress being achieved by hardworking staff in our health service, like those I met today at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. We want to help them provide the care and treatment patients need and expect – and we are already seeing results.
“Not only are the total list size and longest waits coming down, but we are treating more people than last year. There is still work to be done, but these are very welcome improvements.
“Under my leadership, the people of Scotland can expect a strong National Health Service delivering patient care of the highest possible quality.”
The additional £25.5 million will be shared between the following health boards:
Ayrshire and Arran
Fife
Grampian
Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Highland
Lanarkshire
Lothian
Shetland
Tayside
In NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as at 30 September 2025, new outpatient ongoing waits over 52 weeks had decreased by 17.6% and inpatient/day case ongoing waits over 52 weeks had decreased by 5.7% compared to the previous month.
TODAY (Tuesday 4 November), the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will ‘vow to take the fair choices to deliver strong foundations for our economy and secure our country’s future’.
In a speech delivered in Downing Street this morning, the Chancellor will address the country as she lays out the economic choices she will take at the Budget later this month to cut hospital waiting lists, cut the national debt and cut the cost of living.
The Chancellor is expected to say: “Later this month, I will deliver my second Budget as Chancellor.
“At that Budget, I will make the choices necessary to deliver strong foundations for our economy – for this year, and years to come.
“It will be a budget led by this government’s values, of fairness and opportunity and focused squarely on the priorities of the British people:
“Protecting our NHS, reducing our national debt and improving the cost of living.
“You will all have heard a lot of speculation about the choices I will make.
“I understand that – these are important choices that will shape our economy for years to come.
“But it is important that people understand the circumstances we are facing, the principles guiding my choices – and why I believe they will be the right choices for the country.“
Chancellor’s ‘Scene Setter’ speech ahead of Budget 2025
Later this month, I will deliver my second Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
At that Budget, I will make the choices necessary to deliver strong foundations for our economy.
My Budget led by this government’s values of fairness and opportunity…
…and focused entirely on the priorities of the British people:
Protecting our NHS,
reducing our national debt,
and improving the cost of living.
There is a lot of speculation about the choices that I will make.
I understand that – these are the important choices that will shape the future of our country for years to come
I want people to understand the circumstances we are facing,
the principles guiding my choices,
and why I believe they will be the right choices for our country.
We are a country with considerable economic strengths:
An open, trading economy,
A global hub for cutting-edge industries from AI to Biotech,
With world-leading universities and scientific institutions,
and a talented and a committed workforce.
[political redaction]
At the Budget last year, I fixed the foundations:
[political redaction]
I put the public finances back on a firm footing,
Provided an urgent cash injection into our faltering public services,
And began rebuilding our economy.
But since that Budget,
The world has thrown even more challenges our way.
The continual threat of tariffs has dragged on global confidence –
Deterring business investment, and dampening growth.
Inflation has been too slow to come down as supply chains continue to be volatile –
Meaning that the cost of everyday essentials remains too high.
And the cost of government borrowing has increased around the world –
A shift that Britain – [political redaction] – has been particularly exposed to.
And in an uncertain world, we also face pressure to increase our defence spending – and it is right that we do that…
…protecting ourselves from hostile actors and supporting our allies.
And there are other pressures on the public finances.
The Prime Minister, the Secretary of Work and Pensions and this whole government are committed to reforming our welfare state…
…so that it is not a system that counts the cost of failure…
…but one that invests in success and protects those who need it most.
There is nothing progressive about refusing to reform a system that is leaving one in eight young people out of education or employment.
So, we have begun the job of creating a system that protects people who cannot work and empowers those who can.
And there are longer-term challenges too:
That feeling, shared by millions of people across the country that the economy isn’t working as it should.
Alongside the Budget this month,
The Office for Budget Responsibility – the UK’s public finance watchdog – will set out the conclusions of their review of the supply side of the UK economy.
I will not pre-empt those conclusions…
…but it is already clear that the productivity performance [political redaction] is weaker than previously thought.
A less productive economy is one that produces less output per hour worked.
That has consequences for working people – for their jobs and for their wages…
…and it has consequences for the public finances too, in lower tax receipts.
It’s not a question of how hard people work –
Poor productivity means we are putting in more and getting less out.
It means too many businesses and workers don’t have the tools they need:
Trains that run on time,
Broadband that’s fast and reliable,
Access to new technologies,
Or proper training so people have the right skills for the job.
For a long time, commentators have talked about Britain’s ‘productivity puzzle’.
But it’s not a puzzle.
The causes of our economic underperformance are well understood.
The chronic stop-go cycle of public investment has left us with roads full of potholes, high energy prices and unstable conditions for vital business investment in skills and technology…
…and long-term failure to invest in our regions has built growth on a narrow base – with some parts of the country forging ahead while others fall behind.
[political redaction]
All this meant that when the pandemic arrived our country was under-prepared…
…our public services weakened and our economy fragile.
And we finished the pandemic with higher death rates and higher debt than our peers.
This isn’t about relitigating old choices.
It’s about being honest with people about the consequences those choices have had.
It is my job to deal with the world as we find it…
…not the world as I would wish it to be.
Not to commentate or speculate,
But to act.
In my Mais lecture last year, I set out our plan for solving our productivity problem through a programme of stability, investment and reform,
And when I became Chancellor, I began to put that plan into action.
Stabilising our public finances –
Making the tax and spending decisions to get debt down and to fund our public services sustainably.
Changing the fiscal rules to increase public investment by £120bn over the course of this Parliament…
…and crowding in private investment too…
For road and for rail, for housing and nuclear power.
And reforming our economy:
Ripping up the planning rules so we can build housing and infrastructure across the country…
Bringing the brightest and best to our shores with a new visa regime…
And signing trade deals with the EU, the US and India to help our businesses export around the world.
We have begun to see the results of those plans…
…in falling interest rates and falling NHS waiting lists…
…in rising wages and rising investment.
But I know that real progress takes time.
Our growth was the fastest in the G7 in the first half of this year – but I don’t expect anyone to be satisfied with growth of 1%.
I’m not – and I know there is more to do.
The first part of our planning reforms will add an additional £6.8bn to the size of our economy in the next five years,
But the next part – our planning bill – must complete its passage through Parliament before it can make a difference.
Interest rates, which rose from 0.1% to 5.25% in the last Parliament, have now been cut five times…
…but at 4% they are still a constraint on business borrowing and a burden on family finances.
[political redaction]
…and the choices I make in the Budget this month will be focused on getting inflation falling…
…and creating the conditions for interest rate cuts to support economic growth and improve the cost of living.
I understand the urge for easy answers.
[political redaction]
The UK’s national debt now stands at £2.9trillion:
Equivalent to 95% of GDP.
[political redaction] our borrowing costs were in the middle of the pack compared to other advanced economies…
…but now, we have the highest borrowing costs of any G7 country.
Today, 1 in every £10 of taxpayer’s money is spent on debt interest.
Not on paying that debt down…
…but just paying the interest to our creditors.
At the Budget last year, I changed the fiscal rules to strike a careful balance:
To invest more in capital alongside a credible plan to grow our economy and bring debt down within this Parliament.
That was the right decision to break the cycle of low productivity and low growth.
But that additional investment can only be delivered because markets know that my commitment to the fiscal rules is ironclad.
Some people say we should just sidestep those rules…
…that we can borrow more without consequences by simply reclassifying areas like defence or education.
But no accounting trick can change the basic fact that government debt is sold on financial markets.
There are limits on the price that banks, hedge funds and pension funds are willing to pay for our debt…
…and we are competing constantly with other countries also selling debt .
The more we try and sell, the more it will cost us.
It is important that everyone – the public and politicians – understands that reality.
The less we spend on debt interest, the more we can spend on the priorities of working people…
…our NHS, our schools, our national security…
…the public services essential to a decent society and a strong economy.
At the Budget last year, I provided our public services with a vital cash injection…
…and I’m proud of that choice:
Proud that it [political redaction] that is providing record investment in our NHS getting waiting lists down by over 200,000 since the election,
Proud that it [political redaction] that is investing in our children through the rollout of free breakfast clubs and free school meals,
And proud that it [political redaction] that is funding our armed forces and remains resolute in our NATO commitments.
The alternative is to row back on those investments:
[political redaction]
Stifling our economic growth,
And weakening Britain’s foundations in an unstable world.
I will not repeat those mistakes.
But if we want strong public services in the decades to come, then we must recognise that productivity and efficiency are not only a challenge for business, but they are a challenge for our public sector too.
At the Spending Review I announced £14bn of efficiencies per year to be delivered by 2029:
Cutting government spend on consultancies,
Getting rid of bureaucratic quangos and regulators,
And driving efficiency through AI and digital technologies.
But I know that there is more to do,
In the Budget and beyond, I will continue to drive for more productive and more efficient public services, right across government…
…making savings and rooting out waste wherever I find it.
[political redaction]
When I was appointed Chancellor, people put their faith in me to take our country forward…
…not to be swayed by political convenience…
…not to always do what is popular, but to do what is right.
At the Budget, I will continue to deliver on the priorities of the British people:
Cutting NHS waiting lists, cutting the national debt and cutting the cost of living.
And in the context of the long-term challenges on our productivity and heightened global uncertainty…
…any Chancellor of any party would be standing here today, facing the choices that I face.
The difference is in the priorities – and the values – that will guide those choices:
Mine will be a Budget for growth with fairness at its heart…
…and a Budget that supports businesses – to create jobs and to innovate.
As I take my decisions on both tax and spend…
…I will do what is necessary to protect families from high inflation and interest rates…
…to protect our public services from a return to austerity…
…and to ensure that the economy that we hand down to future generations is secure, with debt under control.
If we are to build the future of Britain together, we will all have to contribute to that effort…
…each of us must do our bit for the security of our country and the brightness of its future.
There is a reward for getting these decisions right,
To build more resilient public finances – with the headroom to withstand global turbulence…
…giving business the confidence to invest and leaving government freer to act when the situation calls for it,
To continue to invest in our infrastructure and our industry to build a stronger economy,
And to get the cost of borrowing down – spending less on debt interest, and more on schools and our health service.
The Office for Budget Responsibility will make their forecasts at the end of this month…
…but let’s be clear about what forecasts are:
They are not visions of the future…
…they are a look in the rear-view mirror.
The OBR rightly make their predictions based on the data that has gone before…
…but I do not believe that our past has to determine our future…
…or that a stuttering economy, poor productivity and falling living standards is somehow Britain’s destiny.
A brighter future is within our grasp.
We were elected to break with the cycle of decline…
…and this government is determined to see that through.
So we will go further and faster, on planning, on the industrial strategy, on reforming to regulation…
…all to deliver growth throughout our economy, in all parts of our country.
We will bear down on waiting lists, on the cost of living, and on the national debt which compound these challenges…
…and when that requires hard choices, we will act – guided by the interests of working people.
We were elected on a commitment to put country before party; the national interest before political calculation…
…and, whatever challenges come our way – whatever challenges come my way – we will not be swayed from that.
At the Budget this year, I will continue to build the strong foundations to secure Britain’s future.
For a fairer Britain
A more prosperous Britain
A Britain with an economy that works for everyone.
Edinburgh Leisure’s much-loved Festive Gymnastics Display is back for another year, bringing together over 800 gymnasts from across the city and beyond to perform in front of an expected audience of more than 2,000 spectators at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Sunday, 30 November 2025.
Now in its 19th year, the event will feature 46 teams from six Edinburgh Leisure gymnastics venues, including a special performance from some of the coaching staff. Joining them are guest clubs from across the Lothians and Fife, showcasing a dazzling array of talent and teamwork.
Dorothy McQueen, Gymnastics Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “This event is a celebration of progress, participation and pure enjoyment.
“It’s a chance for our gymnasts to show their families and friends what they’ve been working on all year, and for guest clubs to experience the energy and community spirit of Edinburgh Leisure. The atmosphere is always electric, and it’s a wonderful way to round off the coaching year.”
The day is split into two sessions:
Morning session: 09:00 – 12:15
Afternoon session: 13:00 – 16:15
Tickets are priced at £5.80 per person, with under-5s free (no seat provided).
Tickets are on sale now via TicketSource, with participating gymnasts guaranteed one pre-sale ticket. Each customer can purchase up to six tickets.
Edinburgh Leisure is also welcoming volunteers to help the day run smoothly.
From assisting with registration to guiding guests, it’s a great opportunity to get involved in a community event. No gymnastics experience is required.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Dorothy McQueen at:
Edinburgh Leisure’s gymnastics programme caters to all ages and abilities, from toddlers in Baby Nippers to advanced gymnasts in disciplines such as trampolining, acro and display gymnastics.
Nearly three in five parents expect children’s physical activity to drop this winter
Over half of children aren’t getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily activity, with levels set to drop this autumn and winter – and around 8 in 10 parents underestimating how much movement kids need.
The campaign is backed by Alex and Olivia Bowen, Max Whitlock, Beth Tweddle and Joe Wicks, who has shared top tips for parents getting active with children, as research uncovers impact parents have on their children’s activity levels.
Almost three in five (57%) parents say their children’s physical activity levels are likely to suffer a seasonal dip during autumn and winter, with cold or wet weather (60%) and darker evenings (41%) highlighted as the key barriers in new research findings.
To tackle inactivity and help families keep children moving all year-round, the Government has launched ‘Let’s Move!’, a new campaign supported by Sport England that aims to help parents discover simple, fun, and pressure-free ways to build movement into daily life – which can start with just 10 minutes of activity.
NHS guidance recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day – including 30 minutes outside of school hours. Yet the new survey reveals that 81% of parents underestimate how much physical activity children need. Already, more than half ofchildren in England aren’t getting the recommended amount of movement and, worryingly, the research shows this will increase during the colder months.
Supported by Joe Wicks, the ‘Let’s Move!’ campaign makes staying active easy and affordable, offering ideas from kitchen discos to local activities and playground fun. It encourages families to move together – 80% of parents believe their habits influence their child’s activity levels – and highlights how everyday routines can support healthy, active lifestyles.
Regular movement boosts mood, focus, and family connections, with 78% of parents agreeing that their child is happier after being active, has more energy (71%) and has better concentration (68%).
The campaign is part of the Government’s wider effort to break down barriers to physical activity for people all over the country. Already, more than £900 million has been committed to build grassroots facilities in the places that need them most and deliver a pipeline of major sports events that inspire the nation. Alongside this, the new School Sport Partnerships and
Enrichment Framework will ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality sport and extracurricular activity. Sport England evidence shows that improved health from participation in sport and physical activity relieves pressure on the NHS through £10.5 billiona year in health and social care savings.
Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Building a more active nation is a huge part of this Government’s Plan for Change and we want to show families all over the country just how many ways there are to get involved.
“Whether it’s dancing, playing team sport or playing in the playground with their friends, we know that children who get at least an hour of exercise a day experience so many benefits – they’re happier, healthier and focus better at school.
“I am determined that every child, whatever their circumstances, should have those opportunities.”
While just over half (52%) of parents say their children really enjoy traditional forms of sport, others face barriers such as low confidence (31%) or a dislike of competitiveness (30%). However, 94% of parents say their children enjoy physical play as a form of movement – with top activities including visiting the playground (56%), riding a bike (46%), dancing (44%) and playing tag or chase (43%).
‘Let’s Move!’ aims to support different ways for children to enjoy being active – from sport to play and everyday movement. The campaign features real families from local areas having fun getting active together in ways which suit them, such as dancing or playing in the playground. Their images are featured in out-of-home and social channels in the local areas to inspire others to visit nhs.uk/LetsMove for tips, local activities and inspiration.
Parents and TV personalities Alex and Olivia Bowen launched the campaign in Essex alongside inspiring local families, demonstrating that movement really can be for everyone. Olympic champions Beth Tweddle and Max Whitlock led activities at the event, including dance challenges to obstacle courses, as families shared how they’ve been inspired to get active this winter.
Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton said: “Every child deserves the chance to be active, healthy and happy – but right now, too many are missing out on the 60 minutes of daily exercise their bodies need.
“’Let’s Move!’ is about showing families that physical activity doesn’t have to mean expensive gym memberships or organised sports. A kitchen disco, a walk to the park, or ten minutes of silly dancing – it all counts, and it all makes a real difference to children’s health, happiness and development. This builds on the work we have already done with Joe Wicks and his Activate animated series, inspiring children to move more.
“This campaign is part of our Plan for Change to build an NHS fit for the future by helping families make movement a natural, joyful part of everyday life.”
Joe Wicks, who got the nation moving during ‘PE With Joe’, is backing the campaign following the success of his animated workout series Activate, which was supported by a cross-section of government departments including DCMS, DfE and DHSC.
The series aims to make fitness fun for kids with short five-minute animated workouts. He shares new top tips as part of the ‘Let’s Move!’ campaign to help families slot activity into their everyday life, including being a role model, exploring local activities and getting outside whatever the weather.
Joe Wicks said: “As a dad, I know how hard it can be to keep kids moving – especially in the winter when it’s getting cold and dark.
“The idea of 60 minutes of movement a day for kids can sound like a lot, especially for kids who don’t feel confident doing traditional sports – but it doesn’t have to be all at once. It can start with something simple – a quick dance in the kitchen, a run or a brisk walk to the park, or an episode or two of Activate!
“It all adds up and gives kids an amazing mood boost – the key is making it fun.
“Let’s Move is about helping families find those little moments together – whether it’s discovering something local, or just getting active at home. It’s not about perfection, it’s about showing kids that moving isn’t a chore, it’s play. And when it’s playful, they’re way more likely to want to do it again, and again.”
‘Let’s Move!’ is being piloted in targeted areas of Sandwell, Lancashire, Essex and Bradford where inactivity levels and inequalities are greater than other parts of the country. These areas all receive funding from Sport England via their place partnership programme, to ensure those in greatest need can be active. The campaign supports the Government’s Health Mission, which prioritises preventative health measures, including addressing physical inactivity.
Sport England data also shows significant inequalities remain in activity levels, with Black (42%) and Asian (43%) children and young people, and those from the least affluent families (45%), still less likely to play sport or be physically active than the average across all ethnicities and affluence groups.
Operation Moonbeam deployments have concluded and we’d like to thank the overwhelming majority of the public who have enjoyed the Halloween celebrations in the right spirit (no pun intended!)
A few incidents of minor antisocial behaviour involving fireworks were reported within Edinburgh, Midlothian and Glasgow, and inquiries into these are ongoing.
In total, four Dispersal Orders were issued in the South East of Edinburgh.
There have been no reports of any injuries to date.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “I’m really encouraged that we have not seen the same levels of disorder that we experienced last Halloween and thankful that we’ve not had any reported injuries to those emergency services, bus drivers, or members of the public.
“We will continue to have enhanced resources in place over the weekend and into next week ahead of Bonfire Night and I would again encourage our communities to enjoy the coming days responsibly and help us keep everyone safe.
“I’m grateful to the public for their overwhelming support of our policing operation and my thanks go to all officers, emergency service colleagues and other key partners who have played a vital role in protecting communities, or ensuring that vital services have been provided to those who needed them.”
