Pupils: Walking and Cycling

(asked on 23rd November 2016) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will use revenues from the soft drinks industry levy to promote walking and cycling for school journeys.


Answered by
Edward Timpson Portrait
Edward Timpson
This question was answered on 1st December 2016

We want all pupils to be healthy and active. Since 2013, we have invested over £600 million of ring-fenced funding to improve PE and sport in primary schools, and have committed to doubling the primary PE and sport premium to £320 million a year from September 2017 using revenue from the soft drinks industry levy. This will enable schools to make further improvements to the quality and breadth of PE and sport they offer.

Schools have the freedom to decide how best to use the funding based on the needs of their pupils, and schools may elect to provide extra-curricular activities for pupils, which may include initiatives designed to encourage journeys involving walking or cycling to and from school.

Cycling proficiency is a core skill that if learnt at an early age can act as a strong incentive for children to remain active as they grow up. It is the Government’s aspiration that all children have the opportunity to learn to ride a bike and to support this aim - the Department for Transport is providing £50 million over the next four years to deliver cycling training for school children through the Bikeability training programme.

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