Getting more people to play sport could solve some of the largest problems faced by the new Conservative government, according to Emma Boggis, CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA).

Speaking after last week’s general election, Boggis said ministers will have a chance to put sport and recreation at the heart of “inventive policies” to tackle some of the biggest political conundrums.

"Getting people into sport and recreation can be the solution to some of the major challenges which this new government will face, not least in relieving the burden on the health service," she said.

"The government’s priority should be to see and recognise the wider benefits this can bring and start supporting good physical activity habits for life through everything from education services, through town planning, to prescribing activity in GPs’ surgeries.

“The importance of sport and recreation to the health, wealth and happiness of the UK can’t be underestimated and based on our experience of the last few years, I am confident that the incoming government will understand that."

“We want to see a society where, from the day they learn to walk until the day they take their last steps, people have the confidence, opportunity and motivation to participate in sport and recreation.”

• Ahead of the general election, the SRA published its “Ministers’ To-Do list”, highlighting five areas it has recognised as crucial for the incoming government to concentrate on.