Ambition to cut physical inactivity by 15% not ambitious enough, say Scottish Greens
Growing Scotland’s network of paths and trails, providing additional sports opportunities in deprived areas and supporting efforts to ensure children can play outside safely are priorities for getting people in Scotland more active, according to a delivery plan launched by the Scottish Government yesterday. However the Scottish Greens say the plan could have been stronger and urged the government to appoint an Active Nation Commissioner.
The Scottish Government aims to cut physical inactivity in adults and teenagers by 15% by 2030 – equating to around a quarter of a million more people becoming active – using wide-ranging approaches including active travel funding, support for both formal sports and informal physical activity, and partnership working across the transport, education, health and planning sectors.
Included in its Active Scotland Delivery Plan are actions such as: development of community sports hubs in the most deprived areas; more opportunities for pupils to participate in sport before, during and after school; support and development for helping people move from school sport to clubs; increased funding for cycle and walking paths; promoting good practice to ensure children have safe places to play; and addressing barriers to women and girls participating.
Scotland is one of the first countries to publish a national action plan following the World Health Organisation’s global plan on physical activity.
Public Health and Sport Minister Joe FitzPatrick launched the plan at Forrester and St Augustine’s High School in Edinburgh, which is a community sports hub.
Mr FitzPatrick said: “Being physically active is one of the best things we can do for our physical and mental health, whether that’s walking or cycling, gardening, going to a gym or playing sport. It can also transform communities by helping people connect and come together in shared activities.
“Cutting the level of physical inactivity in Scotland by 15% by 2030 means addressing all of the factors involved. This includes relatively large action such as investing in our active travel infrastructure so people can easily walk and cycle, and supporting initiatives such as Health Walks for those who need help to become active, to small acts such as encouraging removal of ‘No Ball Games’ signs.”
Professor Fiona Bull from the World Health Organisation said: “The launch of this delivery plan shows Scotland is out in front, leading on putting policy commitments into concrete actions supported by necessary resources to promote physical activity, for example, doubling the active travel budget from £40 million to £80 million per year.
“We welcome this strongly, and are pleased to support Scotland’s Physical Activity Delivery Plan. Regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for our children.”
However the Scottish Government is being challenged by a Green MSP to provide an update on when it plans to appoint an Active Nation Commissioner, a commitment made in September last year.
The call comes from Alison Johnstone MSP on the same day the government published its Active Scotland Delivery Plan, which the Lothian MSP says could have been “stronger”.
Ten months ago, the programme for government promised to appoint “an Active Nation Commissioner to ensure delivery of world-class active travel infrastructure. Johnstone says the government urgently needs to put someone in the post because of “decades of underinvestment in our walking and cycling routes”.
Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson, said: “The Physical Activity Plan sets out some good measures, but we need urgent, stronger action if we really want to get people active, and address health conditions like obesity and diabetes.
“Moreover, the government assured us it was taking the health of the nation seriously and that an Active Nation Commissioner would be appointed. Ministers must explain why this is ten months overdue.
“Getting people walking and cycling is a priority, but while doubling investment in active travel is welcome, it is long overdue, and won’t make up for decades of underinvestment in our walking and cycling routes. Sustrans has published research showing that 73% of women never ride a bike, and concerns about safety and a lack of protected cycle lanes are a huge barrier for them.
“We clearly need better opportunities for young people to take part in sport in school, all too often pupils have a very limited choice of sports and activities. Now is also time to push the Scottish Government for a stronger commitment on the provision of PE in schools – it’s great that 99% of schools now meet the commitment to provide two hours or two periods of PE a week, but we should build on that success and set a better target.”