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<p>The Government does not have plans to enact statutory protection for green spaces.
We are committed to reducing excessive central reporting burdens on local government.
It is for local authorities and local communities to decide how best to manage their
local parks and green spaces and how to utilise available funding to best effect.</p><p>The
Government recognises the health benefits of parks and urban green spaces. We have
invested over £15 million in 2018-19 to support a robust package of new Government
initiatives to support the sustainability of green spaces – including £3.75 million
on the expansion of the Pocket Parks Plus programme and £9.7 million to ensure local
authorities can continue to maintain and develop good quality, accessible parks and
green spaces.</p><p>The 25 Year Environment Plan (25YEP) sets out that spending time
in the natural environment can improve our mental health and feelings of well-being.
Government has committed to actions that seek to help people improve their health
and well-being by using green spaces. These commitments include:</p><ul><li>Considering
how NHS mental health providers in England could work with environmental voluntary
sector organisations to offer mental health therapies</li><li>Establish a cross-government
programme that helps health professionals and local authorities to connect more people
with nature to support their health and wellbeing.</li></ul><p>Defra, NHS England,
Public Health England and Natural England are working together to launch these actions
and establish a programme which will deliver the 25YEP mental health commitments.</p><p>
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