AQW 48600/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 12/06/2026
Answered On Date: 03/08/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any work that has been undertaken, since the commencement of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, to promote the societal health benefits of cycling, and other forms of active travel.

Answer:

The current obesity prevention strategic framework, Healthy Futures Strategic Obesity Framework, published in November 2025, takes an integrated, life course approach to obesity prevention for the entire population of Northern Ireland. The Framework makes the links between the wider climate change agenda and actions to promote physical activity and active travel at a strategic level.

The PHA is responsible for delivering on priorities within the Healthy Futures Strategic Framework. Their focus on active travel is to support improved health outcomes, with active travel seen as a valuable opportunity to encourage and increase physical activity levels. They are currently involved in a number of regional programmes which promotes this including:

Active School Travel Programme (AST). Delivered by the Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust;

Leading the way (a workplace active travel programme) which also includes the coordination of the Active Travel Challenge;

Take 5 in schools;

The Daily Mile;

Walking for Health/Walking for All; and

Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS)

Two more localised initiatives are:

Healthy Towns (Western Areas) Physical Activity Support; and

Active Belfast Cycling for Health.