We know there is latent demand for outdoor recreation with 18.2 million people saying they want to re-engage with the outdoors in the next year so what more can Government do to get more people active in the natural environment?
I've been involved with our work around outdoor recreation since joining the Alliance 15 months ago. I’ve worked closely with members and stakeholders - in particular the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) – on getting outdoor recreation the recognition it deserves.
Before the General Election, the Alliance and OIA were asked by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCSM) to consult with the sector on what could be included in a possible outdoor recreation strategy. We’ve now published the reports that we submitted to DCMS. The main report is based on a survey and expert workshops, as well as review of strategies by Sheffield Hallam University and existing lobbying material.
Key areas that emerged from the consultation were:
Recommendations have been developed across these themes. They cover several departments demonstrating the need for a cross-Government approach. Top recommendations call for the creation of a named Minister for the Outdoors, as well as for outdoor recreation to form a central theme in the Government’s new sport strategy. The full list of recommendations provides a framework for outdoor recreation that we know the sector wants to deliver change within.
Since being asked to do this work the Government announced the Comprehensive Spending Review which set out a range of further cuts, although positively it did commit to protecting over £350 million funding for public forests, National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty over the Spending Review period.
We know that resources are tight but outdoor recreation is a unique part of the physical activity landscape that can generate economic and social value; as our Reconomics report shows. We hope to see our recommendations reflected in the new sport strategy that we expect to be published before Christmas.
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