The Association of Play Industries (API) has welcomed Jeremy Corbyn’s proposal to add responsibility for national play policy to the role of shadow children’s minister, should he be successful in the Labour leadership election.
Writing in the Sunday People newspaper last weekend, Corbyn said: “Play is essential, not an optional extra. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises a right “to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child”. But for many local authorities there is now no budget for maintenance or improvements to play areas. There is no greater investment a country can make than in its young.”
Mark Hardy, the API’s independent Chair says; “Play currently lacks a political champion so any move to address that and to improve the health and well-being of children can only be a good thing. High-quality play facilities provide children of all ages and abilities with opportunities to be active outdoors. They also bring wider health, social, economic and community benefits. We believe play is an important part of the practical solution to address the physical inactivity crisis.”
The API is a founding member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for a Fit and Healthy Childhood, co-chaired by Baroness Floella Benjamin, which has also called for the appointment of a cabinet minister for children to drive policy for play. The APPG will publish policy recommendations for play later this autumn.
www.api-play.org