1-20 of 1,212 results for subject:Playgrounds
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To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what data she holds on the number of public playgrounds that have been (a) opened and (b) closed in each of the last five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what data she holds on the number of public playgrounds that have been (a) opened and (b) closed in each of the last five years.
The department does not hold central records of the number of public playgrounds open or closed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications of the proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement for the regulation of glyphosate use in home gardens, schools and playgrounds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications of the proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement for the regulation of glyphosate use in home gardens, schools and playgrounds.
The Health and Safety Executive is currently reassessing glyphosate to determine whether it continues to meet strict approval criteria.
Defra is working through the implications of the transition from the current pesticides regulatory system in Great Britain to a new one defined by the UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement under negotiation. The department cannot comment further on the SPS agreement as negotiations are ongoing.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of public playgrounds in England.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of public playgrounds in England.
Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.
The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.
The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of children’s access to a public playground within walking distance of their home.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of children’s access to a public playground within walking distance of their home.
Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.
The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.
The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the availability of accessible and inclusive playground equipment for children with disabilities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the availability of accessible and inclusive playground equipment for children with disabilities.
Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.
The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.
The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to reduce geographic inequalities in access to playgrounds and play opportunities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to reduce geographic inequalities in access to playgrounds and play opportunities.
Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.
The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.
The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of children who do not have access to a high-quality playground within walking distance of their home.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of children who do not have access to a high-quality playground within walking distance of their home.
Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.
The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.
The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that children in deprived communities have equal access to quality play opportunities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that children in deprived communities have equal access to quality play opportunities.
Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.
The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.
The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to issue guidance to local authorities on removing restrictions on children's active play, including ball games.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to issue guidance to local authorities on removing restrictions on children's active play, including ball games.
The Government recognises the importance of safe, high-quality playgrounds for children and families. Responsibility for the provision, inspection, maintenance and management of local authority-owned playgrounds rests with individual local authorities, which are best placed to assess local needs and priorities. My department does not currently plan to issue guidance on these matters but will keep this under review in the usual course of business.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department issues guidance on (a) inspection and (b) maintenance standards for local authority-owned playgrounds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department issues guidance on (a) inspection and (b) maintenance standards for local authority-owned playgrounds.
The Government recognises the importance of safe, high-quality playgrounds for children and families. Responsibility for the provision, inspection, maintenance and management of local authority-owned playgrounds rests with individual local authorities, which are best placed to assess local needs and priorities. My department does not currently plan to issue guidance on these matters but will keep this under review in the usual course of business.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the condition of public playground equipment owned by local authorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the condition of public playground equipment owned by local authorities.
The Government recognises the importance of safe, high-quality playgrounds for children and families. Responsibility for the provision, inspection, maintenance and management of local authority-owned playgrounds rests with individual local authorities, which are best placed to assess local needs and priorities. My department does not currently plan to issue guidance on these matters but will keep this under review in the usual course of business.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the role of public playgrounds in helping to reduce levels of (a) childhood obesity and (b) physical inactivity.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the role of public playgrounds in helping to reduce levels of (a) childhood obesity and (b) physical inactivity.
The Government recognises that children’s play supports health, wellbeing, learning and social development, and can strengthen community cohesion by bringing children, families and residents together in shared local spaces. This is why the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is investing £18 million through the Playground Fund to support 66 local authorities in England to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The fund targets places with higher levels of income deprivation affecting children and weaker existing playground provision, and supports high-quality, accessible and inclusive places to play.
Public playgrounds complement wider Government action to help children be healthier and more active by providing free, local opportunities for outdoor physical activity. The Department will monitor the Playground Fund to build evidence on best practice and interventions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of statutory play sufficiency duties elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of statutory play sufficiency duties elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
While the department has no plans to bring forward a national play strategy, it has made significant steps to improve the availability of playgrounds. Playgrounds are an important part of play opportunities for children that support children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. The Government has brought forward £18m of funding through the Playground fund, which will improve children’s access to safe, inclusive, high‑quality local play spaces in communities where it has fallen furthest behind. £18m over two years will support local authorities to deliver new or refurbish up to 200 playgrounds across England, prioritising areas with high child deprivation and poor access to safe, local play space.
The Government’s Pride in Place Programme will also provide up to £5.8 billion over ten years to support 284 neighbourhoods identified as most in need. Each neighbourhood under the programme will be given up to £20m of flexible funding and support. In each place, the local neighbourhood board will work with the community to decide how this funding is spent, which could include investment in local regeneration projects such as parks and playgrounds where these reflect local priorities.
The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has considered introducing a statutory duty on local authorities to assess and secure adequate play opportunities for children.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has considered introducing a statutory duty on local authorities to assess and secure adequate play opportunities for children.
While the department has no plans to bring forward a national play strategy, it has made significant steps to improve the availability of playgrounds. Playgrounds are an important part of play opportunities for children that support children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. The Government has brought forward £18m of funding through the Playground fund, which will improve children’s access to safe, inclusive, high‑quality local play spaces in communities where it has fallen furthest behind. £18m over two years will support local authorities to deliver new or refurbish up to 200 playgrounds across England, prioritising areas with high child deprivation and poor access to safe, local play space.
The Government’s Pride in Place Programme will also provide up to £5.8 billion over ten years to support 284 neighbourhoods identified as most in need. Each neighbourhood under the programme will be given up to £20m of flexible funding and support. In each place, the local neighbourhood board will work with the community to decide how this funding is spent, which could include investment in local regeneration projects such as parks and playgrounds where these reflect local priorities.
The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what criteria will be used to prioritise areas with high levels of child poverty and poor access to quality play spaces in future playground investment programmes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what criteria will be used to prioritise areas with high levels of child poverty and poor access to quality play spaces in future playground investment programmes.
The Government is committed to improving access to safe, inclusive and high-quality play spaces. The £18 million Playground Fund will support up to 200 playground improvement projects across 66 local authorities in England, helping more children access safe, inclusive and high-quality places to play. Funding is targeted at areas with higher levels of child deprivation and poorer existing play provision. The fund forms part of the Government's wider Pride in Place strategy, which includes up to £5.8 billion of investment over ten years for 284 neighbourhoods, providing communities with flexible funding that can be used for local priorities, including parks and playgrounds where these reflect local need.
No decisions have been made on future funding arrangements. Any future funding would be subject to the usual Government spending processes. The department will take account of evidence and delivery learning from the current £18 million Playground Fund. The methodology used for the current programme focused on deprivation and access to play provision and future budget decisions on investment in play provision, including the numbers and locations, will be informed by this evidence, the level of need and wider Government priorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the number of playgrounds that could be improved through a further £18 million investment in playgrounds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the number of playgrounds that could be improved through a further £18 million investment in playgrounds.
The Government is committed to improving access to safe, inclusive and high-quality play spaces. The £18 million Playground Fund will support up to 200 playground improvement projects across 66 local authorities in England, helping more children access safe, inclusive and high-quality places to play. Funding is targeted at areas with higher levels of child deprivation and poorer existing play provision. The fund forms part of the Government's wider Pride in Place strategy, which includes up to £5.8 billion of investment over ten years for 284 neighbourhoods, providing communities with flexible funding that can be used for local priorities, including parks and playgrounds where these reflect local need.
No decisions have been made on future funding arrangements. Any future funding would be subject to the usual Government spending processes. The department will take account of evidence and delivery learning from the current £18 million Playground Fund. The methodology used for the current programme focused on deprivation and access to play provision and future budget decisions on investment in play provision, including the numbers and locations, will be informed by this evidence, the level of need and wider Government priorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will consider providing additional funding for a second phase of the Playgrounds Fund in the Autumn Budget.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will consider providing additional funding for a second phase of the Playgrounds Fund in the Autumn Budget.
The Government is committed to improving access to safe, inclusive and high-quality play spaces. The £18 million Playground Fund will support up to 200 playground improvement projects across 66 local authorities in England, helping more children access safe, inclusive and high-quality places to play. Funding is targeted at areas with higher levels of child deprivation and poorer existing play provision. The fund forms part of the Government's wider Pride in Place strategy, which includes up to £5.8 billion of investment over ten years for 284 neighbourhoods, providing communities with flexible funding that can be used for local priorities, including parks and playgrounds where these reflect local need.
No decisions have been made on future funding arrangements. Any future funding would be subject to the usual Government spending processes. The department will take account of evidence and delivery learning from the current £18 million Playground Fund. The methodology used for the current programme focused on deprivation and access to play provision and future budget decisions on investment in play provision, including the numbers and locations, will be informed by this evidence, the level of need and wider Government priorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many playgrounds there are across the military estate; what assessment he has made of the state of those playgrounds; and what steps he is taking to maintain and upgrade children’s play areas.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many playgrounds there are across the military estate; what assessment he has made of the state of those playgrounds; and what steps he is taking to maintain and upgrade children’s play areas.
As of 8 September 2026, there are 486 playgrounds across the UK Defence estate.
Where replacement or refurbishment of playgrounds is required, works are delivered as individual projects under the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contracts.
Under the FDIS contracts, routine inspections of playgrounds are undertaken which comprise weekly visual inspections and annual health and safety inspections
Over the last 12 months, nine playgrounds have been refurbished and a further two playgrounds are undergoing full refurbishment this Financial Year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring housing developers to include accessible playgrounds in new residential developments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring housing developers to include accessible playgrounds in new residential developments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department provides to local planning authorities on the provision of children’s play facilities in new housing developments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department provides to local planning authorities on the provision of children’s play facilities in new housing developments.