Access to Nature Young People 2025-06-19
2025-06-19
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
MP Andy MacNae, a distinguished mountaineer and mountain guide, highlights the importance of outdoor activities in building confidence and resilience among young people. He mentions that 244 young people in Rossendale and Darwen are taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme.
What steps he is taking to improve young people’s access to nature for outdoor activities. Many lessons I learned from mountains have helped me today. The power of the outdoors in building confidence and resilience among young people is enormous. 20 million people do not live within 15 minutes of green and blue space. Do the Secretary of State and the Minister agree that a key ambition of access legislation must be access for all?
The Government are committed to extending access. We have committed to creating nine new national river walks and three national forests. The first is the Western forest which I planted a tree in recently. Wainwright’s coast-to-coast walk will be designated as a national trail. The Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme aims to reach 250,000 more young people by next year.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address the specific request about 'access for all' in legislation, but provided examples of access initiatives.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
MP James MacCleary discusses sewage discharges from Southern Water affecting the Cuckmere river and Seaford beach in his constituency. He mentions that these outdoor spaces are treasured by local families and visitors.
Will the Minister meet me to discuss our local campaign to secure bathing water status for the Cuckmere river and blue flag status for Seaford beach? This would reassure local families and visitors that we take water quality seriously, allowing them to use these outdoor spaces safely.
I would be delighted to offer up my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice as the Water Minister to meet the hon. Gentleman on that issue. I would just say that the King Charles III coastal path will open up a quarter of a million hectares of open access land on the coast.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister suggested meeting with another minister instead of herself, and mentioned an unrelated initiative about the King Charles III coastal path.
Suggested Meeting With Another Minister
Response accuracy