It’s time to put play back on the political agenda
Playground in London outside the Tate Modern Museum (Alamy)
4 min read
One of the biggest surprises I’ve had in Parliament is finding out we’ve hardly talked about playgrounds for nearly a decade.
If you stroll through any of our towns or cities, you might pass a row of shops or a cluster of houses and then stumble on a rusted swing set, a broken slide, or a patch of concrete where children once played. It’s a stark reminder of how playgrounds have slipped off our national agenda. And yet, for so many families, these spaces are anything but trivial.
Earlier this month, I called the first Westminster debate on playgrounds in eight years, a single hour on a topic barely mentioned since the last Labour Government introduced England’s sole National Play Strategy 17 years ago. Let that sink in: many teenagers today have grown up without any meaningful, top-level discussion about the places they go to have fun, make friends, and discover a world beyond their front door (or iPad screens).
Westminster’s contentment with neglect wasn’t shared by my constituents. Over 600 residents of Bournemouth East wrote in, describing chipped paint, missing climbing frames, or padlocked gates. One once-lively play area that helped a child overcome her fear of heights is now fenced off. Another family says there’s nowhere safe to kick a ball around.
But why does it matter? At a time when the cost of living is squeezing households, a playground may be the only free entertainment option left. If you don’t have a garden, that park is your patch of outdoor space—but if it’s in ruins or sold off, where can children go?
Playgrounds aren’t just a nice idea; they’re an essential investment in our future
When play areas disappear, children naturally turn to screens. Parents feel guilt-ridden for not offering the same open-air freedom they enjoyed growing up, but there’s no alternative if the playground’s broken or locked. But how can we blame them if their only real-world alternative is a dilapidated patch of concrete?
It’s even more urgent for families who have children with special educational needs or disabilities. Multiple parents described searching in vain for accessible equipment or wheelchair-friendly layouts, only to find obstacles and barriers. When a playground isn’t equipped for all children, we’re not just failing to provide a service. We’re denying a whole group of children their right to play and socialise.
It’s not just the kids who suffer: parents often find camaraderie in these spaces, forming friendships and sharing advice on a playground bench. If you’re new in town or feeling isolated, a quick chat with another parent on a bench can make a world of difference. These personal connections might seem small, but they stitch our communities together in ways politicians often overlook.
So, what’s next? We can begin by refreshing the old National Play Strategy, adapting it to modern realities rather than letting it gather dust. We don’t need to spend extra millions; we just need better use of the funds already there. Stronger rules around “play sufficiency” would also force local authorities to maintain and protect these areas.
In truth, we already have pockets of good practice. Some councils are already revitalising parks on modest budgets, showing that small changes can revive a space and bring neighbours together. If we coordinate these efforts nationally—and back them up with thoughtful legislation—we might finally reverse years of quiet decline. After all, as a former Prime Minister once said, our chief duty is to give children the best possible start in life. It's in this vein that I’d argue well-maintained playgrounds aren’t just a nice idea; they’re an essential investment in our future.
I’m well aware that an hour’s debate in Westminster won’t solve everything, but it’s a crucial first step. And I’m determined to build on it until children’s right to play becomes a genuine national priority.
Tom Hayes MP is Labour MP for Bournemouth East.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
