Rachel Reeves to plough thousands and thousands into youngsters’s playgrounds after years of Tory neglect
A Treasury source told The Mirror: ‘This funding will breathe new life into play areas across England, creating safe, exciting spaces for thousands of children’
Rachel Reeves is set to plough millions of pounds into playgrounds at next week’s Budget.
The Chancellor will pledge £18million for 200 children’s play parks across the country left neglected under the Tories. The Mirror understands the most deprived areas will be prioritised for the cash injection.
A Treasury source said: “This funding will breathe new life into play areas across England, creating safe, exciting spaces for thousands of children. It will enrich and empower communities – giving every child a place to play and grow, wherever they live.”
A report earlier this year from the Raising the National Play Commission, which highlights the immense benefits of playing outside, highlighted playground closures.
It said that at least 400 playgrounds closed across England between 2012 and 2022. The report added that where playgrounds do exist “many have fallen into states of disrepair due to a lack of regular maintenance” And it warned two million children do not live within a 10 minute walk of a playground.
Eugene Minogue, Executive Director of Play England, said the funding on playgrounds would be a welcome step and a “clear signal that play is finally back on the government’s radar”. He added: “Our work with the University of Sheffield shows just how unequal playground provision is across England, with children in deprived areas having far fewer places to play.
“Children make up 20% of our population, but they are 100% of our future, and their access to play should reflect that.” Mr Minogue said coupled with a new national play strategy “it could be the start of real, lasting change for children, families, and communities across England.”
Labour MP Tom Hayes, who chairs the the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play, added: “Until this year, MPs hadn’t debated playgrounds for eight years.
“MPs and the Government are listening to families when they say they want better playgrounds. Every child deserves safe, fun, and inclusive places to play and we’re doing right by our children.
“When the last government effectively ignored playgrounds, is it any wonder they were left to rust – or that people felt pushed away from politics? This investment is a downpayment not only on better playgrounds, but on brighter, stronger communities.”
