Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department’s open consultation entitled proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 2 August 2024, what steps she plans to take to help local authorities promote healthy living.

As part of the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, we are seeking views on how national planning policy could better support local authorities in promoting healthy communities, and specifically, in tackling childhood obesity.

The Framework already expects policies at the local level to aim to achieve healthy places. We are considering how to ensure a more consistent approach is taken, for example, in relation to controlling hot food takeaways near schools.

The consultation is open until 24 September and we will use the responses we receive to inform future steps.