To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to encourage the general public to increase walking; and whether he has any targets for walking.

On 28 July 2020 the Prime Minister launched ambitious plans to boost walking and cycling in England, with a vision for half of all journeys in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2030. This is supported by a £2 billion package of funding for active travel over 5 years. Much of this will go to local authorities, allowing them to invest in schemes to enable more walking in these areas. These could include measures such as better pavements, more crossings, more benches and other improvements to the public realm.

The first Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS1) included targets to increase general walking and walking to school, and progress was outlined in the first CWIS Report to Parliament in 2020.

The Government will outline its future plans for walking targets in the second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS2) which will be published shortly.