THERE have been many initiatives on the subject over the years, and a lot of money has been spent, and yet Scots are still not as active as they should be. Indeed, a new report from a Holyrood committee shows the number regularly taking part in sport or physical activity has stagnated. Scots need to be cycling, walking and running, but it looks like we are standing still.

It was once hoped that the Commonwealth Games three years ago would be game-changer, but in the end the rates of physical activity after the event were pretty much the same as they were before it. It was not enough to change our reluctance to get up and move.

Part of the problem is that some troubling cultural norms have crept up on us over the years: the idea, for instance, that it is ok for children to spend hours in front of a computer; many parents also insist on driving their children to school, even over short distances.

However, a greater problem is the threat to sporting and community facilities. In recent years, some councils have started to charge for services that were once free; the committee’s report also shows that net revenue spending on sport-related services has fallen over the last three years.

This will have to change if there is any hope of getting Scots active. Scots need to take a different attitude to exercise, but greater participation in sport cannot and will not happen unless local facilities are protected from cuts.