Parliamentarians discussed evidence that demonstrates the value of outdoor recreation to the economy, including the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Reconomics report, in advance of the Spending Review.
Tracey Crouch MP responded to cross-party calls from David Rutley MP and several other Members of Parliament for Government to give outdoor recreation the priority it deserves by stating that she will ‘look to see if [she] can add outdoor recreation to my overall responsibilities that are listed formally.’
The Minister also reflected on outdoors as a ‘vital part of our tourism offer’ and how being active outdoors is a fun way to improve health and wellbeing. The Minister concluded that:
“the potential for outdoor recreation is massive… I will publish the sport and physical activity strategy for the country by the end of the year. It is a cross-departmental strategy. I am keen that it takes into account the issues raised today and the potential that outdoor recreation has to deliver a much wider agenda, including the educational, environmental and health aspects raised in this afternoon’s debate. We are at a unique moment in time, and it is important that all Departments join together to recognise the importance of sport and physical activity to everyone”.
Hannah Dobbin, Policy Adviser at the Sport and Recreation Alliance said: “This debate was a great opportunity to once again hear about the unique value of outdoor recreation to the economy and individual’s health and wellbeing. We welcome the positive comments from Tracey Crouch and look forward to seeing outdoor recreation embedded as an integral part of the sport and physical activity strategy”.
Click here for the full transcript of the debate.
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