Written question asked by Andrew Murrison (Conservative) on Monday, 4 December 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 December 2006. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 December 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Physical Activity Promotion Fund

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Physical Activity Promotion Fund was established; how much has been allocated to it; and how many physical activity co-ordinators have been employed.

Answer: The physical activity promotion fund was announced in the ““Choosing Health”” White Paper in November 2004, to roll out evidence-based physical activity interventions. £55 million was allocated for 2006-07 and 2007-08 directly to primary care trusts for action on diet, physical activity and obesity.Regional physical activity co-ordinators are now employed across seven of the nine English regions. Although local arrangements differ for hosting and funding these posts, they are all based upon the role originally piloted in the North West of England.

Secondary information