Minister announces physical activity role

Public Health minister Caroline Flint is working across government on a new strategy to increase the public's fitness and activity levels.

The Prime Minister asked Caroline Flint to work across government to develop a strategy building on and developing existing work to transform the population into a fitter and more active nation in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

She will report to Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Health and Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Olympics Minister. Speaking at the Rowing World Championships at Dorney Lake, near Windsor, - the venue of the 2012 Olympic rowing and sprint canoeing events - Ms Flint outlined how she intends to fulfil her new physical activity role.

She said: "We will be working in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport / Department for Communities and Local Government / Department for Transport / Department for Education and Skills and delivery bodies like Sport England and will build on the good work that has already taken place. We will also look at further opportunities for physical activity across the board and consider the gaps and priorities. By taking the 'Small Change Big Difference' approach we will look at ways we can support the public to make minor changes that will make a long term difference to their health. We need to ensure that sport and active recreation are accessible to all"

The minister's full statement is here

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