---

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Answer

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support the Government provided for non-school playgrounds in (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 and (c) 2003-04; and what future funding allocations have been made. [221351] Mr. Caborn: I have been asked to reply. ODPM and DfES have provided funding for non- school playgrounds/playing fields as follows: ODPM ODPM through its New Deal for Communities partnerships has spent £4,775 (2001-02); £1,711,010 (2002-03) and £857,548 (2003-04). Future funding allocations have not yet been finalised. ODPM also provides funding for non-school playgrounds through sponsorship of Groundwork, who deliver projects led by or for children and young people and through the Living Spaces scheme which is funding improvements to spaces, including play areas, parks, kick-about areas and skate parks. However, it is not possible to aggregate out support for these play areas from the general project funding that is provided. DfES Outdoor playground facilities have been funded from the Local Network Fund. Records show that grants totalling £250,000 have been awarded to 31 voluntary groups for external play grounds. These grants are broken down as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. £ 2001/02 68,000 2002/03 82,000 2003/04 100,000 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The Local Network Fund runs until 2008 with a yearly allocation of £40 million. It is not possible to predict at this stage how much of that future funding will go to non- school playgrounds.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

432 c691-2W; 221351

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Finance Playgrounds Playing fields

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk