Paddle UK’s Head of Access and Environment, Ben Seal, has had a busy week at Westminster. He provides a summary below.
I met with the Water minister Emma Hardy, alongside MP for Bolton West, Phil Brickell.
During the meeting we discussed the recently published Outdoor Recreation & Access to Nature APPG report: ‘Outdoors For All – Recommendations For Government’.
We discussed the blue space recommendations in the report and explained how important an opportunity the Water Reform Bill is, to deliver both clean water and clear access.
The Minister listened and took onboard what we had to say, with the promise of a follow up with her and Defra officials toward the end of the year.
This week also saw two All Party Parliamentary Group meetings in Westminster.
The APPG Outdoors met to reflect on the inquiry report and plan for next steps.
The Chair, Andy McNae MP, agreed to theme future meetings on the topics of the health benefits of outdoor recreation, barriers to accessing the outdoors and also the economics of the outdoor sector.
Immediately after the APPG Outdoors was the inaugural meeting of the new National Parks APPG.
Paddle UK was pleased to be able to attend and show support for the new APPG, chaired by Barry Gardiner MP.
In recent weeks, the Government has quietly shelved plans to weaken certain duties related to National Parks in through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Tuesday was also a chance to meet MP for Sheffield Central, Abtisam Mohammed.
Abtisam was keen to support the campaign for cleaner waters and was also really interested in the work of the APPG Outdoors.
Over the last week, we have also had a number of written questions answered by the relevant Minister.
We also worked with an MP to ask an oral question, in Monday’s Education question time.
During Education Questions, Derby North MP, Catherine Atkinson asked the Education Secretary, ‘what assessment had been made of the benefits of children having access to nature as part of their education?’
In response the Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould MP, said that the Government is supporting work at Oxford University to assess the impact of nature based programmes in secondary schools.
In a response to Andy McNae MP’s written question, Minister for Children & Families, Josh MacAlister also cited this research, whilst also acknowledging the growing body of evidence linking greener schools with a range of benefits for children.
She stated stating ‘The Government recognises the importance of providing access to nature and is considering the approach to improving that, including access to unregulated inland waterways.
‘We are committed to working with stakeholders as this develops and a further update will be provided in due course’.
Other relevant written questions answered by Ministers this week include:
Paddle UK is planning on marking the 25th anniversary of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) in November.
We want to draw attention to the fact our inland waterways were not included in this landmark piece of legislation and continue to be overlooked, despite the demand for greater access.
Support from all water users to draw this to the attention of local MPs will be vital.
Find out more about the Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign, and how to write to your MP >>