The Youth Sports Trust (YST) has launched a new manifesto for the 2015 General Election calling on whoever enters into government to do more to boost the quality of physical education (PE) and sports opportunities in schools.

In its document, entitled Unlocking Potential: A Manifesto for PE and School Sport, the YST put forward three key action points that it believes will make this happen from the second half of the year onwards.

They include enhancing the amount of "higher quality PE" (Education); ensuring that there are physical activity opportunities "embedded" into every school day (Health); and establishing "sustained" competitive sport in schools (Sport).

The trust, which was set up in 1995, says that the level of inactivity is detrimental to the wellbeing of children and young people, with far too many youngsters failing to meet the recommended levels.

According to data, only 21 per cent of boys and 16 per cent of girls meet the minimum levels. This, says the charity, damages children and young people's physical and mental wellbeing, limits their ability to succeed in school and later life, and puts "a huge strain on the economy".

In its report, the YST listed ten reasons why better PE and Sports provision in schools matters.

They include improving physical health, boosting mental health and resilience, establish active habits for life, improving academic achievement and helping the government and taxpayer save billions of pounds.

Additionally, it will also enhance employability in later life, raise aspirations, allow talent to thrive, promote diversity and inclusivity and tackle health inequalities.

“Reversing the growing levels of physical inactivity amongst young people is a seismic challenge," baroness Sue Campbell, chair of the YST, was quoted by the Guardian as saying.

"With one in three children leaving primary school obese or overweight, and less than one in five meeting the minimum recommended guidelines for physical activity, it is a bleak and worrying picture.

"At the Youth Sport Trust, we believe every child has a right to access high quality physical education and school sport. By making this a priority area, the next government has an opportunity to improve our nations’ health, education and sporting prospects."