The (Con):...If we were able
to facilitate just a small change in behaviour, it would have a
huge multiplier effect. Currently, 46% of primary schools have
signed up to the Daily
Mile initiative. I ask my noble friend the Minister
why the Department for Education cannot make the Daily
Mile the Daily Four Miles, and make it compulsory
for every school in the country as part of the curriculum. That
would ensure that all schoolchildren meet the Chief Medical
Officer's guideline of 60 minutes of exercise per day. Would it
not be possible to introduce this with relative ease?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for
Culture, Media and Sport ( of Whitley Bay) (Con):...Of
course, getting moving is not confined to playing sport. As my
noble friend Lord Effingham set out, people can get fitter and
healthier through increased walking and cycling in their daily
lives. This year, Active Travel England announced £101 million of
government funding for high-quality walking and cycling routes.
This will unlock sustainable transport options for millions more
people across England and give people the choice to travel safely
on foot or by bicycle. The importance of active travel in
increasing physical activity in children is highlighted in the
school sport and activity action plan, which was updated in
March. For example, the Bikeability programme has already helped
over 4 million children in schools and community settings to
learn how to cycle safely. Through our national physical activity
taskforce, we are committed to supporting the Department for
Education, the Department for Transport and Active Travel England
to deliver initiatives to increase active and safe travel to
school, such as the Daily
Mile which my noble friend mentioned...
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