VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Health: Recreation Spaces

Asked by Andy MacNaeLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 20 October 2025UIN 80004

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the (a) mental and (b) physical health benefits of having access to (i) green and (ii) blue spaces for recreation.

Answered by Ashley Dalton

The ability to access green and blue space is associated with improved physical and mental health and increased healthy life expectancy.

The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people's health and wellbeing, and has committed to creating nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England, expanding access to the great outdoors.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim