WIN on the Swings AND WIN on the Roundabouts for UK Children

The Association of Play Industries (API) heartily applauds Ed Balls’ announcement on Wednesday 4th April 08. Mr Balls confirmed, “Children across the country are to get an extra 3,500 play areas and 30 local authorities will get £2 million each to build new adventure playgrounds, as part of £235m Government investment on children’s play.”

Responding to Mr Balls, API chair, Lesley Knight said,

“We are delighted to see this hugely important announcement which puts real money
behind government recognition of the vital importance of play for children.

Lelsey Knight API Chair

We have been and we continue to work positively with the government, ministers and specialists organisations like Play England.  We share a passion for excellent play available to all. For that this is essential, welcome and for children, a win-win outcome.”

The development in Children's Play Consultation, Fair Play, will be in focus at 'Play Fair 2008', the API's exhibition, on 15-16 July 2008 at Stoneleigh Park. More: www.playfairuk.com

The government announcement also says, Ed Balls and Andy Burnham also vowed to help tackle bullying and crime in play areas and other public spaces, improve road safety and work with town planners and developers to create more child friendly public spaces, ending the ‘no ball games’ culture. The Ministers promised to investigate whether local authorities were being over cautious with play equipment and to support parents in balancing risk against opportunity.

For the first time ever the Government will have a new play indicator, meaning that every year children and young people will be asked how satisfied they are with their local play areas and parks. To help them improve their play facilities, all councils will get funding for play (3,500 play areas), with 30 play pathfinder authorities getting extra £2 million for adventure playgrounds, and 43 playbuilder authorities receiving an additional £1 million for play areas. Funding of £225 million was announced for play in the Children’s Plan, but an additional £10 million has been added to this fund, as Ministers underlined the importance of play and how it should be taken seriously by every council in the country.

Source: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2008_0067

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