Exclusive: freedom of information request reveals ministers rejected plan to make pledge legally binding

The UK government has no plans to meet its target for everyone to live within a 15-minute walk of a green space, the Guardian can reveal.

Ministers have also scrapped an idea to make the target for access to nature legally binding, a freedom of information request submitted by the Right to Roam campaign shows.

Launching the plans earlier this year, the then-environment secretary, Thérèse Coffey, congratulated herself for the idea: “I am particularly pleased by our pledge in this plan to bring access to a green or blue space within 15 minutes’ walk of everyone’s homes – whether that be through parks, canals, rivers, countryside or coast,” she said.

But in response to a freedom of information request, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “No assessment has yet gone to ministers on options for how to progress towards the commitment.”

  • katy ✨
    15•7 months ago

    red tories 🤝 blue tories

    breaking promises that would improve life for everyone

    • Rikudou_SageEnglish
      3•7 months ago

      I mean, anyone who believes such a claim from a politician deserves to be let down when it turns out it was a lie.

      • Star
        6•7 months ago

        Removed by mod

        • Rikudou_Sage
          1•7 months ago

          Yes, politicians are the problem. Doesn’t mean I won’t find it laughable someone trusts what they say.

          • Star
            2•7 months ago

            Removed by mod

            • Rikudou_Sage
              1•7 months ago

              The claim was ridiculous even when it comes to politician standards.

              laugh at people who don’t

              That’s not really my case, I generally don’t make fun of people for being naive.

              I’m not trying to change anyone, I’m just pointing out something that’s very obvious to me. I don’t quite care if people believe them, that’s really your choice.