Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of ensuring that children and young people have regular access to nature and natural spaces.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that children and young people can access and enjoy nature, and the benefits this can bring for their health, wellbeing and development.

Through the Environmental Improvement Plan, the Government is committed to expanding opportunities for people to access, enjoy and connect with nature, including for children and young people.

The Government also supports initiatives which help children and young people connect with nature, including the Department for Education's National Education Nature Park programme, which empowers children and young people to make a positive difference to both their own and nature's future.