Sir Ming visits Malvern

2.29.23pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 21st Apr 2007

Visiting a youth football team set up by parents and Police Community Support Officers in Malvern, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ming Campbell yesterday accused the Government of breaking promises on sports funding. He emphasised the importance of sports facilities in reducing youth crime and anti-social behaviour.

Liberal Democrat research has revealed that the Government has:

· Spent only 1.8% of the £750m promised seven years ago for sports in the most deprived areas in the UK

· Failed to spend over a third of a separate £750m fund pledged towards their flagship "anti-crime" sports policy, over a year after its own spending deadline and six years after Tony Blair announced the initiative

· Abandoned Tony Blair's target to get 70% of the population active by 2020 which it was due to miss by over 20 years

Sir Ming said "This Government has broken its promises to provide sports equipment, facilities and coaching in our most deprived areas. As this football club demonstrates, sports clubs can cut crime and anti-social behaviour. By getting involved in sport young people gain confidence, respect and self-discipline. All of these qualities can help to stop the downward spiral towards a life of crime. This Government's approach has focused on chasing headlines rather than providing support for communities to tackle the causes of crime."