Prime Minister meets with the Lionesses as they prepare to defend England's title

Yesterday the Prime Minister met with the Lionesses as they prepare to defend England's title at the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 football competition next month. 

He wished head coach Sarina Wiegman and the rest of the squad good luck ahead of their first match – telling them the whole nation is behind them. 

The visit comes alongside new plans to give every child across the country equal access to high quality PE and sport as the government announces a new approach to school activity.

This will ensure schools have a new framework that will include a clear focus on equal access and two hours per week of physical education. Each school’s offering will be publicly available. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

"I speak for the entire nation when I say good luck to our Lionesses for this summer’s Euros. We will be behind you every step of the way.  

Not only have you made history, but you have inspired the next generation to find a sport they love. That’s why I’m delighted we are delivering on your call to ensure they have the opportunity to go on and play – maybe even for England one day."

A national network will be developed to build strong partnerships between schools, local clubs and National Governing Bodies to identify and break down barriers to sport for children who are less active, primarily girls and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  

It will be supported by a new Enrichment Framework to ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality extra-curricular activities – including football and other sports. 

Read more here.

afPE CEO, Kate Thornton-Bousfield said: "We know that two hours of high quality PE is essential and that it can be life changing. That's why we're so delighted to see the Government take very seriously the evidence that there is a need to put PE at the heart of school life. The changes announced today are the culmination of a lot of hard work from those within government and from across the PE and sport sector. I am really hopeful that this marks a step change in bringing high quality, inclusive and engaging PE and sport experiences to every young person. For me, there are two ingredients to the success of this welcome approach - first that it is genuinely co-created, in a spirit of partnership and secondly that it is responsive to local needs, and sensitive to the fact that every local context is different. To hear the Prime Minister talk about and clearly understand the need for particular focus on young people with SEND as well as young women and girls was particularly welcome today".