Member of Parliament for Macclesfield, David Rutley has urged the Sports Minister to establish a national strategy for outdoor activities, such as walking, cycling and climbing, during a Parliamentary debate.
In the debate on “Government Policy on Outdoor Sport and Recreation”, David highlighted the role outdoor activities can play in tackling physical inactivity and boosting the rural economy. Around 30% of the UK population is considered physically inactive, with the recent Government ‘Moving More, Living More’ report estimating that the costs associated with inactivity are around £20 billion. By contrast, it is calculated that visitors spend £21 billion a year taking part in outdoor activities in rural areas, which is a real boost to the rural economy.
David has been working with ten leading outdoor organisations, including the Ramblers and the British Mountaineering Council, who have together shaped six keys proposals for Government action on the outdoors, which were put forward to the Minister for Sport, Helen Grant MP during the debate. Following the debate, David met the British Mountaineering Council and a cross-party group of MPs to discuss the next steps in taking forward this campaign, at a “summit” meeting in Snowdonia National Park.
Positive progress is being made already in this area, most notably demonstrated by the Government’s recent announcement regarding plans to complete the England Coast Path, ten years earlier than planned. In addition to this, there has been clear interest shown by Government departments and outdoor organisations to more fully include outdoor activities in plans to improve public health.
David said, “It is good to see the growing interest in outdoor activities as a positive way to tackle the growing challenge of physical inactivity and to boost the rural economy, as clearly demonstrated in the well attended Parliamentary debate. Our “summit meeting” helped set out the benefits of establishing a national strategy for outdoor activities and develop the next steps in this important campaign.”
He added, “Having a national strategy will also help areas like Macclesfield attract more visitors to its beautiful countryside and support local residents who want to get more active. Positive progress is being made, but more needs to be done to realise the opportunities that are available through outdoor activities.”