A year-long inquiry by the Raising the Nation Play Commission, chaired by architect Paul Lindley, has called for a new cross-departmental national play strategy to tackle the decline in children’s access to safe, inclusive and engaging places to play. The strategy is the headline recommendation of Everything to Play For, the Commission’s final report, launched today (11 June)  to coincide with the UN’s International Day of Play.

Everything to Play For seeks to make children’s play a strategic priority for national and local government. It outlines proposals to integrate play into the design of neighbourhoods, public spaces and housing developments, supported by changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and planning guidance. 

The document also calls for the appointment of a minister for play and the introduction of a statutory “play sufficiency duty” in England, similar to legislation in place in Wales and Scotland.

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