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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has considered the case for a cross departmental strategy at national, regional and local level for joined-up action and funding to improve physical activity levels. [75210] Ms Blears: The Government recognises the importance of a strategic approach in order to increase rates of physical activity. This Department works closely with other Government Departments to ensure that policy initiatives on health, sport and recreation, education and transport are co-ordinated and contribute to our shared goal of increasing access and rates of physical activity. This has been backed up by significant investment, including £581 million from the new opportunities fund for a physical education and sports programme, £459 million to transform physical education, school sport and club links over the next three years and £2.5 million for a new programme of local exercise action pilots, led by primary care trusts (PCTs). At a national level, Ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health have regular monthly meetings to ensure joint working and co-ordination on issues relating to physical activity and sport. The Department of Health has also set up a national alliance on physical activity that draws together policy makers, experts and practitioners to share local experiences and learning on strategies, plans and practices to increase physical activity. At a regional level the positioning of regional directors of public health and their teams in the Government offices of the regions provides a very real opportunity to make connections across policy areas that will support increased physical activity. Locally, PCTs have a key responsibility for ensuring that a strategic approach is taken to increasing physical activity through their involvement in local strategic partnerships. At a regional level the positioning of regional directors of public health and their teams in the Government offices of the regions provides a very real opportunity to make connections across policy areas that will support increased physical activity. Locally, PCTs have a key responsibility for ensuring that a strategic approach is taken to increasing physical activity through their involvement in local strategic partnerships.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

75210; 391 c668-9W;391 c664-5W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Finance Health education Sports Exercise Public health

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk