Local authorities and schools seek consent from the Secretary of State to dispose of playing field land that is surplus or unused. The department has a strong policy presumption against the disposal of school playing fields and has a set of criteria used to assess applications for consent. These include assessing whether the school can continue to meet its curriculum needs. The department gives consent only if the criteria are met, and where the proceeds from sales are to be reinvested in sports and education facilities.

PE remains a compulsory subject at all four key stages in the national curriculum, ensuring that all children and young people continue to engage in sport and physical activity as they progress through education and beyond. Schools are free to organise and deliver a diverse and challenging PE curriculum, but through the primary PE and sport premium. The government has invested over £600m of ring-fenced funding to primary schools to improve PE and sport since 2013, and will double the primary PE and sport premium to £320 million a year from September 2017. We also recently announced the creation of the Healthy Pupils Capital Programme, committing £415m of additional funding from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy for primary, secondary, and sixth form colleges to support PE, after school activities, healthy eating, and young people suffering with mental health issues.

Improving air quality is a priority for this Government and we are determined to cut harmful emissions.

The Government is considering next steps in light of both the High Court judgment and recent updates in data on emissions from diesel vehicles and we will set out further measures next year.

Our plans have always followed the best available evidence and we have always been clear that we are ready to update them if necessary. We can now confirm a timetable for updating our plans next year and further improving the nation’s air quality. We will consult on a revised air quality plan by 24 April 2017 and publish a final plan by 31 July 2017.

Local authorities are responsible for reviewing and assessing local air quality, including decisions on local air quality monitoring. Their local knowledge and interaction with the communities that they serve mean that they know the issues on the ground in detail and the solutions that are best suited to local circumstances.

Defra provides guidance, including helpdesk advice, to local authorities on the appropriate type of monitoring to install. Where local authorities conduct air quality monitoring, they are expected to site monitors in accordance with local and national priorities, which may include schools and other locations where there is high risk of exposure.

Defra monitors, models and reports air quality at a national level in accordance with the requirements of EU and international legislation. There are 271 monitoring stations in the UK national monitoring network.

Local authorities are responsible for reviewing and assessing local air quality, including decisions on local air quality monitoring. Their local knowledge and interaction with the communities that they serve mean that they know the issues on the ground in detail and the solutions best suited to local circumstances.

Defra provides guidance, including helpdesk advice, to local authorities on the appropriate type of monitoring to install. Where local authorities conduct air quality monitoring, they are expected to site monitors in accordance with local and national priorities, which may include schools and other locations where there is high risk of public exposure.