The Local Government Association (LGA) has called for ‘long-term, consistent funding’ to help councils implement the national play strategy.
In a new report from Raising the Nation Play Commission, researchers have called for Government to invest £125m in a national play strategy to help improve children’s wellbeing.
Detailing the role of councils in achieving the aims of the 10-year strategy, the Commission outlines local authorities’ ‘statutory duty’ to ensure children across England benefit from sufficient opportunities to play.
In response to the report’s recommendations, the LGA emphasised that funding gaps prevent local authorities from supporting children’s right to play and urged the Government to use the Spending Review to invest in councils’ budgets.
Cllr Liz Green, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: ‘To help get children playing and physically active, it is vital that we tackle the inequality of access to parks, playgrounds and green spaces, particularly for those living in more economically deprived areas.’
‘However, councils face a funding gap of more than £8bn by 2028/29.’
‘Only with long-term, consistent funding can councils adequately plan ahead and invest to improve facilities’, she added.
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