Thanks to Lee for instigating the debate. Yes, there are long-term health benefits of physical activity, which could also translate into long-term financial benefits, if, that is, we can reduce conditions such as obesity and diabetes. I acknowledge that the Welsh Government is now attempting a more joined-up approach to this issue, which inevitably crosses over the boundaries of several different Government departments.

In UKIP Wales, we welcome, for instance, the involvement of Sport Wales in promoting sport amongst those who haven’t previously been physically active, which is a welcome development. The Active Travel (Wales) Act can potentially play a large part in helping with the objective of increasing physical activity. We do need to get more people travelling to school, work, and even to the shops. To this end, targets can sometimes help—a point that Janet made earlier—and I note that in England they are currently considering a target of getting 55 per cent of schoolchildren walking to school by 2025. Although this is ambitious, if we are serious about achieving the Active Travel (Wales) Act’s aims, then perhaps we should consider setting a similar target here in Wales.

Local authorities here are beginning to respond to the nudging of groups like Living Streets, which supports walking, and Sustrans, which promotes cycling. We are seeing these groups bring in the local community with initiatives like community street audits, which aim to look at various routes from the perspective of walkers. From this, councils can learn what measures need to be introduced to improve walking access, such as bollards and railings in some instances, which require modest investment, and in other cases, simply the relocation of a lollipop man or lady, or a zebra crossing. In my own area of Canton in west Cardiff, we now have up and running a park-and-stride scheme, which gets kids walking part of the route to school. First, they walk to a safe parking area, and then they do get driven, but at least they get to walk some of the route. The other scheme promoted by Living Wales for walking is the walking bus, as mentioned previously, where children walk the whole way in an organised march, picking up more participants en route.

Cycling is the other major activity that can aid long-term health. This also raises issues. Sustrans in Cardiff, for example, have consistently questioned the facilities available for cyclists at the soon-to-be redeveloped Cardiff bus station. As the Minister is doubtless aware, there is a major office redevelopment taking place in Central Square in Cardiff, which will lead to a smaller bus station. This change has also led to questions over cycling facilities. So, I would ask what measures can the Welsh Government take to ensure that local councils adhere to the objectives of active travel by providing adequate cycling facilities in our major transport hubs? And are we to have any targets on walking to school? Thank you.