Levelling-Up Committee Chair criticises Department for Education for lack of engagement on Children, young people and the built environment inquiry

14 May 2024

Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee, has today criticised the Department for Education for their lack of engagement on the Committee’s current inquiry on children, young people and the built environment.

The Committee’s inquiry is examining the importance of access to outdoor space for children and young people.

The cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has today published a letter from Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education, which responds to Committee correspondence expressing disappointment about the DfE’s lack of engagement with the Committee inquiry.

Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee, said:

“It’s crucially important for the Government to take a cross-Department approach to ensuring children and young people have access to outdoor spaces to protect their mental and physical health. The fundamental lack of cross-Government action risks children and young people being forgotten. The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee’s inquiry has been examining what policy interventions can enable children and young people to enjoy active outdoor lifestyles and engage with others.

“It is deeply disappointing that the Department for Education has refused to engage constructively with the Committee’s inquiry in this important area. The Department did not want to send the Minister for Children and Families, who the Committee had requested attend. It is alarming that the Department for Education feels it has very little to contribute to government policy in this area. I hope the Government will be more receptive to the Committee’s recommendations when we publish our report.”

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee expects to publish its children, young people and the built environment report, which will include recommendations for Government, later in June.

The LUHC Committee’s inquiry is focussing on these issues relating to England.

Background information on the Committee’s inquiry

The Committee have been examining questions concerning the importance of access to outdoor space for children and young people’s mental and physical health and the health impacts of young people spending time online indoors rather than have the opportunity for outdoor play and social activities.

The Committee has also explored community attitudes to young people playing outside and concerns around anti-social behaviour. MPs have also examined how far spaces for young people are considered by national planning policy and how seriously Government policy approaches questions around exercise, active travel and play in the built environment for young people.

The inquiry has been examining how built environment policy impacts children and how better planning and building and urban design in England could enhance the health and well-being of children and young people.

The children, young people and the built environment inquiry full terms of reference are included in the inquiry launch news story.

Committee evidence sessions for this inquiry:

On Monday 25 March, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee wrapped up the evidence sessions for its inquiry with questions to Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Lee Rowley MP, Minister for Housing, Planning and Building Safety, and Joanna Averley, Chief Planner, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (see transcript of 25 March session).

At the evidence session on 26 February, the Committee looked at what can be done through planning policy and the building of new homes to reverse this trend, hearing from experts, architects, a planner and a developer about how to put children and young people at the centre of built environment policy in England (see transcript of 26 February session).

The Committee heard at its first evidence session from public health experts, freedom to play advocates and campaigners (see transcript for 24 January session), that children and young people want and need to get out and about, as a vital part of growing up happy and healthy. However, witnesses painted a picture where kids are gradually disappearing from our streets, parks and open spaces.

Further information

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