Ministers should stop peddling myths and embrace 15 minute neighbourhoods - Yorkshire Post Letters

Being physically active is one of the best ways to keep physically and mentally healthy.

Building physical activity into your daily life, through walking and cycling rather than driving for short journeys, is a cheap and easy way to get these health benefits, and to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions too.

So it was very surprising to see that Maria Caulfield, UK Health Minister, include myths about 15 minute neighbourhoods in her recent campaign material.

The true description of a 15 or 20 minute city is that you should be able to walk to local amenities such as primary schools, GP practices/ pharmacies, shops, bars, restaurants etc, within 15 - 20 minutes of your home (around a 1km -1 mile radius) – and what’s not to like about that?

Making an area more attractive to walk around supports local businesses and helps develop and maintain social connections and reduce isolation - another major cause of poor health.

It also helps reduce inequalities as older or disabled people, and those on low incomes, are more likely not to have a car and to rely on walking.

Instead of supporting 15 minute cities, and helping improve our lives and our health, Ms Caulfield has chosen to promote a myth that fellow Conservative Penny Mordaunt, Leader of the House of Commons, has identified as a dangerous conspiracy theory and a threat to British democracy. Is it time for Maria to be on her bike?