Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the merits of increasing access to public green spaces in urban areas to help reduce health inequalities; and what steps the Government is taking to increase (a) access to and (b) the number of public green spaces in (i) urban areas and (ii) deprived communities.

At present no direct discussions have taken place. However, the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, ‘A green future: Our 25-year plan to improve the environment’ acknowledges the essential role that the natural environment and greenspace play in people’s physical and mental health. This includes helping people improve their health and wellbeing by using green spaces and through greening towns and cities. The Plan is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/693158/25-year-environment-plan.pdf

Public Health England is collaborating with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Natural England on projects in relation to improving access to outdoor spaces.