Olympic Games

Mr. Don Foster
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2006, Official Report, column 1095W, on the Olympic Games, what proportion of the population in England engaged in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week in each year since 2002; what estimate her Department has made of the expected proportion in each year until 2020; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Caborn
According to the Health Survey for England (2004) the percentage of the population achieving the physical activity recommendations of a minimum of 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity activity at least five times a week is 35 per cent. for men and 24 per cent. for women. Data for subsequent years since 2002 are not available and no precise estimates have been made to 2020.

Mr. Don Foster
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2006, Official Report, column 1095W, on the Olympic Games, whether the commitment to increase to 70 per cent. the proportion of the population who are reasonably active is still a government target distinct from the public service agreement to increase the number of people from priority groups who participate in sport by 3 per cent. by 2008; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Caborn
As set out in “Choosing Activity: a physical activity action plan”, the Government acknowledge the 70 per cent. target as an aspirational goal and has set out its priority target for increasing participation in the Public Service Agreement (PSA) to increase the number of people from priority groups who participate in sport by 3 per cent. by 2008.