MP vows not to give up on outdoor education campaign despite setback in the Welsh Parliament

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron says he is more determined than ever to make sure that every young person in the country has access to a “life-changing outdoor education experience”, despite similar plans being narrowly defeated in the Welsh Parliament last week.

Last Thursday, a bill put forward by Sam Rowlands, Conservative Member of the Senedd for the North Wales region was voted down by just a single vote.

The bill would have established a legal requirement for residential outdoor education opportunities for children and young people in Wales’ schools.

Tim’s outdoor education bill, which was inspired after a visit from the Outward Bound Trust in Ullswater, will go to the House of Commons for its second reading in June.

Meanwhile a similar bill, proposed by the Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Liz Smith, is also currently making its way through the Scottish Parliament.

Tim said: “'It’s a privilege to work with Sam who has been a tireless champion of this vital issue.

“So I was deeply disappointed to see that his outdoor education bill was narrowly voted down. This bill was the Welsh government's opportunity to give every Welsh student an experience of the joy of the great outdoors.

“But we will not give up.

“I am determined to keep working with San and others so that we can ensure that every child has access to life-changing outdoor education experiences, not just the fortunate few.”