On average, schools are now offering under 2 hours of PE per week from key stages 1 -4, according to a report released today at the House of Commons.

Today the Youth Sport Trust launched the report of its National PE, School Sport and Physical Activity Survey. There has been no such national survey commissioned since current Government was formed in 2010 and today's results reveal some notable feedback from school teachers across the country.

Among other findings, the report states:

• Continued investment in primary sport provision was rated as the most important factor to ensure high quality PE
• 95% of schools considered that PE, physical activity and sport makes a positive contribution to life skills (confidence, resilience, resourcefulness, teamwork, communication skills)
• On average schools had 5 links with community (or other) sport clubs, while the Government commissioned 2009/10 survey found that on average schools have 9.1 sport or activity links to clubs.
• The most common methods of encouraging physical activity in primary schools were; adapting playground designs (80%), playground leadership training and roles for young people (70%) and training of midday supervisors to encourage children to be active at break and lunchtime (69%)

Reaching a minimum 2 hours of PE and sport a week in schools is a key policy area for the Labour Party in the upcoming General Election, so these findings will no doubt fuel debate over the Coalition Government's commitment to combating child obesity and promoting physical activity.

You can find the full report on our website under the Research tab.