Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of children’s access to a public playground within walking distance of their home.

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.