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.
Question
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?
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mary Creagh)
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.
Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address the specific request about 'access for all' in legislation, but provided examples of access initiatives.
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