Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of public health restrictions on exercise on people’s mental health.

The Government understands the importance of physical exercise and spending time outdoors on people’s mental health and wellbeing and acknowledges the impact the current restrictions are having. Public Health England has published guidance on social distancing and self-isolation and advice on how people can look after their mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak.

We are also raising awareness of the resources and guidance available to adults, children and parents and carers through our Wellbeing and Mental Health Support Plan for COVID-19 and the ‘Every Mind Matters’ platform.