3. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's progress in achieving a more physically active Wales? OAQ(5)0420(FM)

‘Taking Wales Forward’ sets out our ambition to increase levels of physical activity. Existing initiatives to encourage physical activity are having an impact and further measures are being considered. They will be outlined in the forthcoming healthy and active strategy.

First Minister, every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. right across Wales, thousands of people take part in parkruns. They’re volunteer led, they’re timed and people are able to chart their progress as they, hopefully, improve their times over the months and, indeed, the years. In Newport, the existing Tredegar House parkrun has just been added to with a city centre urban parkrun along the riverside. I took part in recent events and enjoyed the benefits as so many others do, First Minister, although my joy in setting a personal best was somewhat reduced when the man who finished in front of me confided that he’d just had a hip replacement. [Laughter.] But, nonetheless, they’re very important events and I have set a personal best. First Minister, will you join me in recognising and paying tribute to the importance and significance of these parkruns, which are making a growing contribution to getting a more physically active population right across the length and breadth of Wales?

Yes, I will. It’s hugely important that people feel comfortable in taking exercise in ways that are appropriate to them. There were two points that I feared he would make. The first one, he did make, namely that he has been involved in a parkrun himself. The second, he didn’t make which I welcome, and that was to invite me to join him at a parkrun. [Laughter.] I know full well that he would certainly have the edge on me there. But I think it’s hugely important that we’re able to encourage people to take exercise in new ways, and parkruns, of course, are an excellent example of how to do that.

Following on from John Griffiths’s question, the First Minister will recall that the last time I won an individual Member’s ballot in this place was around six years ago, and that was a Measure to safeguard playing fields. So, I do hope that there will be some developments along the lines that John suggested. But it’s also a matter of concern, as I read recently, that 13 per cent of children in Wales do no physical activity from one week to the next. So, what plans do you have in place to tackle that dreadful situation?

The Welsh healthy school network scheme does support schools to promote schemes to improve the health of pupils in schools. Ninety-nine per cent of schools are part of that programme—those schools that aren’t private schools. And, of course, we also work with the Welsh Local Government Association in order to support children in continuing with their exercise during the summer holidays, by ensuring that there are activities available for them to keep healthy.

First Minister, increasing access to the countryside for families for responsible recreation could bring substantial benefits to the health and well-being of the nation. The consultation on improving opportunities to access the outdoors closed on 2 October 2015. When will your Government be in a position to bring forward proposals that will encourage activities such as cycling and horse riding, while protecting the environment and the livelihoods of people who work in the countryside in Wales?

Well, let’s look at Let’s Walk Cymru: it’s a Welsh Government funded programme, which sets up walking groups all over Wales. The aim of that is to introduce walking into people’s daily lives to prevent the onset of conditions such as heart disease and obesity. That complements what we are already doing. Of course, it’s important that people know where they can walk and also that people know where they can cycle, and, of course, the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 is a piece of legislation that helps us to develop those methods of both exercise and transport in Wales in the future.