Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Fields in Trust report on revaluing parks and green spaces, published on 7 May, what assessment he has made of the effect of changes to the level of funding for parks on (a) public health and (b) NHS costs.

The Secretary of State welcomes the research from Fields in Trust and recognises the benefits accessing good quality parks and spaces can make to people’s health and wellbeing.

While no specific assessment has been made on the effect of changes to the level of funding on health and the NHS, we know that increasing the use of good quality green space for all social groups is likely to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. It can also bring other benefits such as greater community cohesion and reduced social isolation.Public Health England’s briefing, written by the Institute of Health Equity, summarise a detailed evidence review here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/355792/Briefing8_Green_spaces_health_inequalities.pdf

In September 2017, the Government created the ‘Parks Action Group’ to address the issues facing public parks. The Government is working closely with the experts on the group - including Fields in Trust to develop our understanding of the matters facing our public parks and green spaces. Work is currently underway to develop a clearer understanding of the funding picture and to identify a range of initiatives to support the long-term sustainability of our parks and green spaces.