Wales: physical activity policy snapshot

This snapshot presents strengths and weaknesses of national physical activity policy actions in Wales. Compare Wales with other European countries in our MOVING policy index.

Wales implements policy actions in all 6 policy areas of the MOVING framework. The highest assessment received was moderate in only 2 policy areas, which were public communication to build behaviour change skills (N), and promoting physical activity in schools, community and recreation (M).

Weaknesses were seen throughout the entire framework, but specifically in physical activity for all ages and abilities (M), road safety actions (I) and physical activity guidelines (N). Gaps were also highlighted in physical activity within and outside of school hours (M), active design guidelines (V), policies that promote active transport (I) and physical activity training for healthcare professionals (G).

Much more needs to be done to strengthen all policy areas of the MOVING framework beyond a fair and moderate assessment. Greater attention should be given to the active environments (policy areas V and I) as these are important policy areas to encourage physical activity.

Download a full analysis and breakdown of Wales’s results

This country snapshot presents detailed results of the MOVING policy index for Wales. Full index results are outlined in the MOVING policy brief (pdf), which compares Wales with other European countries and explains the methods for producing this snapshot and the index.

The index assesses if national government policy actions exist across all areas of the MOVING framework and, if so, how well designed they are. We produced this assessment by benchmarking policies from Wales, collected through a comprehensive scan. You can view all benchmarked policies in our MOVING database.

Overview of physical activity policy status in Wales

Wales MOVING overview

Read more about the MOVING policy index
Download the MOVING policy brief (pdf)
Download all 30 country snapshots as a bundle (zip)
See also our pages on England, Northern Ireland and Scotland

Summary of policies reviewed

The policies assessed to produce this country snapshot are listed here. For more details, consult our MOVING policy database.

Policy name	Area	Benchmark name
Physical activity for children and young people	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Keep Active, Keep Well	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Couch to 5K	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Health and Well-being	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Food and Fun’ School Holiday Enrichment Programme	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Community Focussed schools	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Funding and Capital Support across sport	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
eRecreation Funding	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Pupil Deprivation Grant	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Welsh Network of Healthy Schools Scheme and Pre-School Scheme	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Physical Activity and Higher/ Further Education	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Capital Programme to Enhance Childcare Provision	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Valleys Regional Park	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Physical activity in the workplace	O	Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions
Cycle infrastructure design (LTN 2/08)	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Asset Management Guidance for Footways and Cycle Routes	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
National Cycle Network	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Green Flag for parks	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Play Statutory Guidance	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Planning Act and Policy	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Pothole Action Fund	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Fill that hole App	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Local Growth Fund	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Modeshift STARS National School Travel Awards	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Walk to School Outreach programme	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Cycle to Work	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Active Journeys Programme in Wales	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Active Travel Act and Guidance	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Change4Life	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
This Girl Can	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Return To Play campaign – UK	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
We are Undefeatable Campaign	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Stay In, Work Out	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
UK physical activity guidelines	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Moving Healthcare Professional Programme	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings
Physical activity: brief advice for adults in primary care	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings
Behaviour change: general approaches	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings
Physical activity: exercise referral schemes	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings
Behaviour change: individual approaches	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings
RCGP Physical Activity and Lifestyle Toolkit	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings
Active Practice Charter	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings
Wales National Exercise Referral Scheme	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings

NOURISHING country snapshots

We also have snapshots of nutrition policies in 30 European countries. Visit the Wales page or see all the country snapshots.

Get in touch

The policy landscape in any country evolves over time. These findings reflect our knowledge as of May 2023. To provide feedback or suggest updates, please get in touch.

Fill in our feedback form or email the team policy@wcrf.org

Wales: physical activity policy snapshot

Overview of physical activity policy status in Wales

Summary of policies reviewed

NOURISHING country snapshots

Get in touch

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