VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Outdoor Recreation: Public Health

Asked by Phil BrickellLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 4 September 2025UIN 905441

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential impact of increasing public access to the outdoors on public health.

Answered by Emma Hardy

The Government recognises health and wellbeing benefits of outdoor access and is taking action to increase opportunities for everyone to engage with nature through nine new national river walks and three new national forests.

We work closely with DHSC to embed improved access to nature as part of preventative healthcare through, initiatives such as green social prescribing.

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