But a senior official said the departments do not have formal joint responsibility for the policy areas of the inquiry.
But a senior official said the departments do not have formal joint responsibility for the policy areas of the inquiry.
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The Department for Education (DfE) has been criticized for its “lack of engagement” with a parliamentary inquiry into the importance of outdoor spaces for children.
Clive Betts, chairman of the equalization committee, said it was “extremely disappointing” that the DfE had “refused to engage constructively with the committee’s inquiry into this important area”.
One major criticism was that Minister for Children and Families David Johnston did not attend the inquiry hearings when invited. Betts said this was “particularly unfortunate.”
![Portrait | school week Clive Betts](https://schoolsweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Portrait-970x970.jpg)
But in a response letter published by the committee today, DfE director-general Susan Acland-Hood said her department was “interested” in the inquiry but “does not have formal joint responsibility” for the policy area under the terms of the inquiry. reference”.
She also said she had suggested the Minister for Education, Baroness Barran, attend, as her portfolio included school buildings, but that offer had not been taken up.
According to the council's website, the inquiry is looking into “how better planning, architecture and urban design in the UK can improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people, while benefiting the entire population.”
It specifically refers to the question ‘How easy is it for children and young people to get to outdoor spaces and schools?’ How has this changed over the last few years?”
Cross-departmental approach ‘critical’
Betts, Labor MP for Sheffield South East, said: “It is vital that the Government takes a cross-departmental approach to ensure children and young people have access to outdoor spaces to protect their mental and physical health.”
“A fundamental lack of cross-governmental action risks children and young people being forgotten.”
He said: “It is surprising that the Department for Education feels it has so little to contribute to government policy in this area.” “I hope the government will be more receptive to the committee’s recommendations when we publish our report.”
Acland-Hood said in her response that DfE officials had discussed the investigation by the Department for Leveling Up, Homes and Communities but “we agreed that it was one of many departments interested, but we agreed that it was not.” “We must officially take joint responsibility for the investigation,” he said.
“DLUHC colleagues agreed to bring this to the attention of committee secretaries and have since confirmed to the DfE that these conversations have taken place.”
Barran proposal 'not accepted'
![Susan AcklandHoodinset400px | school week Susan Ackland-Hood](https://schoolsweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Susan-Acland-Hood-inset-400px.jpg)
In response to criticism of Mr Johnston's absence, Mr Acland-Hood said there were “areas of his portfolio that have some relevance to the policy areas raised in your inquiry”.
“For example, his portfolio includes the mental health of children and young people within educational settings. “Because the scope of the investigation is so wide, it is not surprising that it involves many ministerial portfolios.”
She said the invitation to attend on March 25 had been extended to March 13, but Betts said in her letter that the initial approach to the DfE about the minister attending was made on February 27.
“After further phone calls with committee staff, it was confirmed that the committee had shared responsibility and was willing to hear from the minister,” Acland-Hood said.
“He did not immediately coordinate other commitments to attend as he does not have formal joint responsibility for the areas under discussion. However, we suggested the attendance of Baroness Barran, who was able to attend the portfolio which included the original school building. “This proposal was not accepted.”