In evidence submitted to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill Committee at the end of April this year, Play England put forward a comprehensive case to introduce a new clause to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025 that would require local authorities in England to secure sufficient play opportunities for children – effectively creating a Play Sufficiency Duty in England.
Yesterday, that vision moved closer to reality when Labour MP for Bournemouth East, Tom Hayes, formally tabled amendment NC82 to the Bill to enshrine this duty in law.
In what Eugene Minogue, Executive Director of Play England, described as a “big moment for play”, the amendment constitutes the closest move towards a Play Sufficiency Duty in England.
So, what does the proposed clause say?
As outlined in Play England’s evidence submission, the clause would place a statutory duty on all local authorities in England to “so far as reasonably practicable, assess, secure, enhance, and protect sufficient opportunities for children’s play when exercising any of its planning functions”.
To do this, local authorities must:
- Undertake and publish play sufficiency assessments
- Evaluate and report on the quantity, quality, accessibility, inclusivity and integration of play opportunities
- Incorporate the findings and recommendations of such assessments into local plans, relevant strategies, infrastructure planning, and development decisions
- Deny planning permission that would result in a net loss of play spaces
- Require new developments to provide high-quality, accessible, inclusive play opportunities
- Consult regularly with children, families, communities, and play professionals regarding play provision
The clause also includes the following definitions:
“play” means activities undertaken by children and young people that are freely chosen, self-directed, and carried out following their own interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons
“play opportunities” include formal and informal play spaces, parks, open spaces, streets, schools, neighbourhood spaces, natural green areas, active travel routes, supervised play settings (including adventure playgrounds), and community recreation facilities;
“sufficient” means adequate in quantity, quality, accessibility, inclusivity, and integration within community infrastructure.”
To read the clause in full click here.
With the launch of Play England’s new 10-year strategy – It All Starts With Play – in Westminster just a few weeks ago, the excitement and momentum around play in England is hard to ignore. But, the legislation isn’t over the line yet!
So far, the amendment has the backing of 48 Members of Westminster Parliament. But further explicit support from your Westminster MP will help us ensure that a play sufficiency duty in England becomes a reality.
However, time is of the essence as the amendment is due to be heard on Monday!
Is your MP’s name on the list below?
If not, here are some things you can do:
- Contact your MP – Write an email explaining why the amendment is important to you and your community. Politicians receive mountains of correspondence, so adding the personal touch will make it stand out. Find out who is your local MP by visiting WriteToThem.com.
- Contact other politicians – Garnering the support of other politicians, particularly from the same party, might also encourage your MP to back the amendment. You might approach your local Community Councillors/Parish Councillors and County Councillors. In Wales and Scotland, ask your Members of the Senedd (MSs) or Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) respectively to lobby their Westminster counterparts sharing the example of play sufficiency duty in those countries.
- Attend constituency meetings – Attend you local MP’s surgeries and discuss the issue in person. Most MP’s have their own website or social media where such information will be available.
- Engage your CLP – If you’re a Labour Party member, ask your local group to discuss (and support) the amendment.
Sponsors of the amendment as of 06/06/25 14:00:
London & South East England
- Ms Polly Billington – East Thanet (Labour)
- Natasha Irons – Croydon East (Labour)
- Ms Stella Creasy – Walthamstow (Labour)
- Daniel Francis – Bexleyheath and Crayford (Labour)
- Dame Siobhain McDonagh – Mitcham and Morden (Labour)
- Mr Calvin Bailey – Leyton and Wanstead (Labour)
- David Burton-Sampson – Southend West and Leigh (Labour)
- Tom Gordon – Harrogate and Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat)
South West England
- Dan Aldridge – Weston-super-Mare (Labour)
- Will Stone – Swindon North (Labour)
- Steve Race – Exeter (Labour)
- Caroline Voaden – South Devon (Liberal Democrat)
- Dr Beccy Cooper – Worthing West (Labour)
- Jess Brown-Fuller – Chichester (Liberal Democrat)
- Manuela Perteghella – Stratford-on-Avon (Liberal Democrat)
- Adrian Ramsay – Waveney Valley (Green Party)
- Siân Berry – Brighton Pavilion (Green Party)
Midlands
- Leigh Ingham – Stafford (Labour)
- Chris Bloore – Redditch (Labour)
- Adam Jogee – Newcastle-under-Lyme (Labour)
- Sarah Smith – Hyndburn (Labour)
- Dr Allison Gardner – Stoke-on-Trent South (Labour)
- Andy MacNae – Rossendale and Darwen (Labour)
- Cat Eccles – Stourbridge (Labour)
- Terry Jermy – South West Norfolk (Labour)
- Tim Roca – Macclesfield (Labour)
- Danny Beales – Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Labour)
North England
- David Baines – St Helens North (Labour)
- Chris Webb – Blackpool South (Labour)
- Connor Naismith – Crewe and Nantwich (Labour)
- Neil Duncan-Jordan – Poole (Labour)
- Oliver Ryan – Burnley (Independent)
- Alison Hume – Scarborough and Whitby (Labour)
- Andrew Gwynne – Gorton and Denton (Independent)
East England
- Jen Craft – Thurrock (Labour)
- Jess Asato – Lowestoft (Labour)
- Ellie Chowns – North Herefordshire (Green Party)
- Margaret Mullane – Dagenham and Rainham (Labour)
- Helen Hayes – Dulwich and West Norwood (Labour)
North East England
- Sean Woodcock – Banbury (Labour)
Wales
- Carolyn Harris – Neath and Swansea East (Labour)
Scotland
- Euan Stainbank – Falkirk (Labour)
The Playwork Foundation 