Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing countryside access rights.

This Government recognises the physical and mental health benefits of improved access to the countryside. We are already taking action to increase responsible access to the countryside; by creating nine new National River Walks, three new National Forests, and the King Charles III England Coast Path.

We are also funding the £16 million Access or All programme which improves the accessibility and inclusivity of Protected Landscapes and National Trails. I saw the benefit of this myself when I met representatives of the Dartmoor Wheeled Access Group and how this funding has enabled equitable access to the Dartmoor National Park for wheelchair users.