New laws to secure play opportunities for children across Wales will soon come into force, Deputy Minister for Tackling Poverty, Vaughan Gething, will tell a leading conference on Play later today (13th March).
He will be speaking at the Four Nations Play Policy Symposium in Scotland bringing together representatives of all the governments of the UK. The Deputy Minister will tell delegates that Wales is leading on this agenda through legislating to improve the provision of play opportunities. The first part of the existing legislation required local authorities to assess the sufficiency of play opportunities for children in their areas. This was completed last year and they have received £1.25m to support them in increasing play opportunities during this financial year.
The Welsh Government wants to make sure that children in Wales have the right environment and opportunities to play.
Earlier this year the Welsh Government announced the second part of this legislation coming into force, which requires local authorities to secure sufficient play opportunities for children, and to publish details of them.
The Deputy Minister will tell delegates:
“Our play policy aims to make communities more play friendly by placing a value on, and increasing quality opportunities for children to play.”
I am very proud of the fact that Wales was the first country in the world to specifically legislate for play.
“To support local authorities in complying with the second part of this duty we will be issuing Statutory Guidance.
“Earlier this week we launched a consultation on the draft Guidance Wales: A Place Where Children Can Play. I encourage all those with an interest in this area, including parents, to contribute their views.”
