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.”

  • Rikudou_SageAEnglish
    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
      5•7 months ago

      No. Victim blaming won’t get you anywhere.

      Politicians are supposed to tell the truth about their actions. Politicians are the problem.

      It’s not our fault they are lying.

      • Rikudou_SageA
        1•7 months ago

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

        • Star
          1•7 months ago

          What is the point of politicians if you literally expect them to be lying bastards? You accept this and laugh at people who don’t?

          Mockery and shame aren’t the best way to make people change. More likely they will clam up and/or become defensive which kills most chances of conversation.

          • Rikudou_SageA
            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.