Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Monday, 27 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 October 2008. It was answered by Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Labour) on Thursday, 30 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Playgrounds

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent steps the Government has taken to improve children's outdoor play areas.

Answer: In the Children's Plan we announced new investment of £225 million for play over the CSR period 2008-11, and in April we committed a further £10 million to this agenda. This will fund up to 3,500 public play areas and 30 staffed adventure playgrounds nationally. 30 pathfinder authorities will receive on average £2.1 million of capital and £500,000 of revenue each; and every other authority will receive on average £1 million capital and a small revenue grant.There are currently 63 local authorities receiving their allocated funding as part of a first wave. These authorities are being supported by Play England, who have been appointed as the external support body to directly assist local authorities in delivering their allocated funding. The timing of funding for all remaining local authorities will be announced by the end of November.This investment is in recognition of the important part play has enabling children to enjoy a happy, healthy childhood. It will provide new capital funding for every local authority in England, and will provide a real opportunity for Children's Trusts to transform local play areas throughout the country. Underpinning our new investment will be the first national Play Strategy for England. We consulted on the draft strategy 'Fair Play' over the summer, and received a very strong and positive response. We will publish our response to the consultation and final Play Strategy shortly.

Secondary information