I had the privilege of being a member of the committee whilst the inquiry into physical activity of children and young people was conducted. I would like to thank the Chair, fellow members of the committee, the clerks and all those who gave evidence over the course of the inquiry. As a former PE teacher myself, this subject and the importance of it is very close to my heart—totally understanding, after many years of study, how growth and development, both physical and emotional, is enhanced by physical activity, and its importance and relation to this growth.

As Dai quite rightly points out in the foreword of the report, obesity is one of the world's most serious global public health challenges for the twenty-first century, and Wales has one of the highest levels of obesity in western Europe. I welcome the committee’s 20 recommendations and am pleased that the Welsh Government have accepted most of them. It is really disappointing that the Welsh Government has rejected two of the more important ones, recommendations 6 and 8.

Children spend much of their waking week in school, and yet less than half of them participate in sport or physical activity three or more times per week. As a result, less than half of the children meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity. More worryingly, just one in six 11 to 16-year-olds engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least one hour per day. We cannot leave it to local education authorities to deliver improvement. The Welsh Government must show leadership.

Recently, I was dismayed to learn of the intention to shorten the school day at Nottage Primary School in my region. The proposed changes to the school day in order to align with the nearby comprehensive will eliminate a morning break and cut the pupils' lunchtime by 20 minutes, and this move will dramatically reduce the opportunities for physical activity for pupils at this school. Play is essential for the health and well-being of our young people, and we should be increasing opportunities, not reducing them, and I urge the Welsh Government to reconsider its position on recommendations 6 and 8.

Finally, while I welcome the committee’s nineteenth recommendation and the Welsh Government’s acceptance in principle, I would ask that the Welsh Government go further. New social housing developments must include green spaces as close to the dwelling as possible. Every home should have an individual garden for children to play in, and, where that is not possible, a shared garden.

We have to be bold if we are to ensure that our children and young people are as healthy as possible. Diolch yn fawr.