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Mental Health: Access to Nature
27 April 2021
Lead MP
Tracey Crouch
Chatham and Aylesford
Con
Responding Minister
Victoria Prentis
Tags
NHSClimateMental Health
Word Count: 3093
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Tracey Crouch raised concerns about mental health: access to nature in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I ask the Minister to ensure that her officials work with those in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to align the new zonal planning system with the Government's ambitious commitments to restore nature. I also urge the Department to put into law a commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the adverse impact of lockdowns on people's mental health. Around nine in 10 people surveyed by Natural England in May 2020 agreed that natural spaces are good for mental health and wellbeing, yet over 11 million people in England live in areas deprived of local green space, with one in eight having no access to a garden. Developers have not always considered local biodiversity, leading to the decimation of wildlife.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Expressed joy at seeing the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford looking well, highlighted his own fortunate access to nature on a farm which improves mental health, suggested that various organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds could partner with the Government to ensure people without easy access to nature can engage.
Government Response
Victoria Prentis
Government Response
Acknowledged the importance of nature for mental health, highlighting initiatives such as the £80 million green recovery challenge fund to support nature-based projects. Emphasised plans to improve footpath access through projects like the England coastal path and a new northern coast-to-coast national trail. Noted efforts to tackle inequality in access to green spaces by developing green infrastructure standards and local nature recovery strategies. Mentioned cross-Department collaboration, including mental health initiatives such as green social prescribing. Reiterated commitments under the Environment Bill for biodiversity targets and environmental protection.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.