The policy changes that would see children's play taken seriously

I congratulate the Guardian on highlighting the issue that matters most to children but which is routinely ignored by the adult world in general and policymakers in particular: their profound need for time and space to play (Editorial, 26 April).

It is of course true, as the Guardian editorial says, that schools and parents have a big role here, but so too does the government. Without legal status, children’s play spaces and services are perennially targeted for funding cuts or overlooked altogether. There are three policy changes that would go a long way towards addressing the problem.

“After a year of terrible constraints on children, with potentially long-lasting consequences, these changes are needed now more than ever.”

Firstly, like most other western nations, the UK should adopt into law the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and follow the UN’s guidance of 2013 on children’s right to play, which calls for appropriate legislation, funding and planning.

Secondly, the Westminster government should follow the examples of Wales and Scotland by making the creation of children’s play opportunities a statutory duty on local government.

Finally, there should be a cabinet minister for children, not just their education. When this last happened, in 2007, it led quickly to an ambitious 10-year play strategy for England and the ring-fenced funding so badly needed; plans that were cruelly scrapped by the coalition government after only 2 years.

These changes, together with support for the play and playwork professions who will be needed to implement them, were set out in a widely endorsed Play Manifesto in 2019. After a year of terrible constraints on children, with potentially long-lasting consequences, they are needed now more than ever.

Adrian Voce

An edited version of this article was published as a letter to the Guardian on 26 April 2021