Written question asked by Iain Wright (Labour) on Friday, 16 December 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 December 2011. It was answered by Baroness Teather (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 30 January 2012 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Playgrounds: Hartlepool

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department has allocated for provision of children's and young people's play areas in Hartlepool constituency in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department has not allocated funding for provision of children's and young people's play areas to Hartlepool or any local area or authority in the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13. The Department's play capital programme finished at the end of March 2011, as originally intended under the previous Government's Play Strategy.The Government recognise how important it is that children have safe, local places to play, and the benefits these places bring to the wider community more generally. However, it is not for central Government to determine what play facilities are available in local areas, or to tell the experts in the play sector how to deliver play provision. Children, parents, play professionals and local communities best know what is most needed in their local areas.The Government are moving control over local decisions and expenditure away from the centre, giving communities more control over developments in their neighbourhoods, and making it easier for volunteers and charities to get involved. This approach should provide the freedom and flexibility for local areas to meet their own priorities for spending, which may include play, and make the most of the resources available.

Secondary information