A BBC analysis has revealed the scale of council debt across the UK and how it is driving the sale of public assets, including leisure centres, gyms, schools, and even Olympic legacy facilities.
While the issue is national, London boroughs are particularly exposed, with Croydon and Greenwich highlighted as examples.
For the sport and physical activity sector, this raises significant risks for access to facilities, community engagement, and long-term health outcomes.
Key insights:
- £122bn debt burden across councils – equivalent to £1,700 per UK resident, with debts growing (up 7% last year)
- Councils have sold £2.9bn of public assets in two years (excluding Right to Buy homes). Those with the highest debt are twice as likely to sell. For London, this has meant the loss of facilities like the New Addington Leisure and Community Centre (Croydon) and Greenwich Equestrian Centre, with direct impacts on grassroots sport
- “Capitalisation directions” allow councils to sell assets or borrow for day-to-day services. While easing immediate pressures, it erodes the stock of community facilities. As the Local Government Information Unit noted, this is like “payday loans for local government” – once assets are gone, they’re gone.
- Sports and community impact – Croydon’s boxing club (300 members) was displaced after its centre was sold, while Greenwich risks losing a unique Olympic legacy site despite community bids to retain it.