My frustration here is that the Government always talks about the importance of physical activity in tackling obesity but takes little action. The principle of the Government’s getting it right for every child policy would suggest that meeting the individual needs of every child is fundamental. The rate at which children learn physical literacy is as diverse as the rate at which they learn numeracy, literacy and language.

Given the recognition that there is an alarming decline in child activity rates, which is linked to the rise in obesity and poor mental health, why does the Government treat physical literacy as the poor relation in education?

Mr Whittle and I have gone round the houses on that question before. I do not recognise Mr Whittle’s portrayal of Scottish education. There is a high level of engagement and participation in activities such as the daily mile across Scottish schools: 98 per cent of schools are fulfilling their physical education commitments. As I go around the country, I see countless examples of schools making every effort to encourage physical activity and exercise, with an emphasis on health and wellbeing within the activities of Scottish education.

I am committed to action in that area and that is reflected in Education Scotland. I hope that Mr Whittle can recognise some of the achievements that have been made by Scottish schools in promoting physical activity among children.

That concludes general questions.

7. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce personal physical literacy programmes, such as the STEP programme, in schools as part of its obesity strategy. (S5O-00455)

The evidence on tackling obesity says that, for success, we must maintain activity across a wide range of actions that make it easier for people to be more active, to eat less and to eat better. As part of the review process for our strategy, we will be considering how we link our obesity strategy to other cross-Government work, including that on promoting physical activity and on developing our approach to being a good food nation.

I will be meeting Kenny Logan early in the new year to discuss the STEP programme. Along with the daily mile, the STEP programme is an example of how physical activity can be embedded into the daily life of Scottish schools, which, as we know, can have a positive impact on pupils’ health, educational attainment and life chances.