Play England

1 year ago today we launched our bold, new 10-year strategy - #ItAllStartsWithPlay! in Parliament. One year on, our objective remains clear: restore a play-based childhood for all children in England by 2035. playengland.org.uk/strategy #ItAllStartsWithPlay

VAT on soft play cut to 5% this Summer! gov.uk/government/new… 👏 Association of Indoor Play who lobbied for change & @TomHayesBmouth, Chair @APPGonPlay who secured this with the Chancellor Play is a right, not a luxury. Children’s play should not be taxed. Make it permanent!

Cheaper tickets for theme parks and children's meals as Chancellor Rachel Reeves cuts VAT to 5% for some attractions this summer bbc.in/4eV8k1d

I want every family to have fun this summer. That's why I’m cutting VAT on children’s activities and meals with Great British Summer Savings. Our economic plan is the right one, to support families and businesses, and build a stronger and more secure Britain.

"What matters for families is not just getting by, but being able to enjoy time together without worrying about the next bill" Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces a temporary cut in the rate of VAT in summer attractions from 20% to 5% bbc.in/4uk3KOR

We’re Recruiting: Independent Director (Trustee) – Treasurer As we continue delivering our 10-year strategy - #ItAllStartsWithPlay! we are looking to further strengthen our Board Find out more & apply by 30 June 👉 playengland.org.uk/newsblog/were-… #CharityLeadership

“No child should be exposed to second-hand smoke or vapour clouds in public spaces designed for their health, education, & play. “ We’re calling on the Govt to extend proposed smoking & vaping bans to cover all children's playgrounds to protect children. orlo.uk/nA7iP

Playday - Wednesday 5 August 2026, the national day for play. We are delighted to announce that the theme for this year’s Playday is . . . Play – here, there, everywhere! Find out more below: playengland.org.uk/newsblog/playd… #PlayEverywhere #Playday2026

Play England announces new Elected Director Amber Ogunsanya-William has been elected to the Board as an Elected Director, bringing lived & professional experience rooted in inclusive play, adventure playgrounds and children’s rights playengland.org.uk/newsblog/play-… #ItAllStartswithPlay

Refurbished play parks open ahead of summer bbc.in/4dfydY6

Six weeks today until the International Day of Play. Children from across the capital will come together in Parliament Square for the London Parade for Play – a joyful, noisy takeover led by children. Come and join the fun! #Article31 #PlayMatters londonplay.org.uk/event/london-p…

International Day of Play 2026 – Play 31 Challenge We are calling on all schools across the UK and Ireland to give children 31 more minutes of play on International Day of Play. playengland.org.uk/newsblog/inter… #IDoP2026

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has published a new report on community and school sport. We're calling for more investment, wider-ranging PE, better facilities, removing “No Ball Games” signs and ending the 3pm blackout for women’s football.

‘Lose 'no ball games' signs to get nation moving - MPs’ - @BBCNews bbc.co.uk/sport/articles… The Culture, Media and Sport Committee 'Game On' report, urges the government to legislate to require local authorities and housing associations to remove unnecessary 'no ball games' signs, "to make public spaces more usable for children's play." committees.parliament.uk/publications/5… It calls for a cross-government strategy to deliver a healthier nation, and an increase in funding to boost participation in local communities. The MPs want spending on sport and recreation to go from the current 0.3% of total government expenditure to at least 0.6% over the next 10 years, claiming that "funding for school and community sport is insufficient and increasingly unstable". They also recommend that PE is granted the same status as English, mathematics and science in schools. Following a year-long inquiry, the MPs' conclude that despite strong demand, committed volunteers, and many successful local initiatives, sport and physical activity "remain under-recognised within national health policy, and that a statutory duty must be placed on local authorities to provide sporting and leisure facilities in their communities". #ItAllStartsWithPlay #NationalPlayStrategy #PlaySufficiency #MoreBallGames #ActiveWellbeing

Tomorrow, we're quizzing senior staff from Milkshake! and Sky Kids as part of our inquiry into children's TV and video content 📺

Children shouldn’t be exposed to smoking or vaping in places designed for play We’ve led the case for smoke-free playgrounds. This is long overdue! The @DHSCgovuk consultation is open. Have your say by 8 May ⤵️ consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/smoke-free-hea… #SmokeFreePlaygrounds #ItAllStartsWithPlay

The latest issue of @PlayNationMag is now live! Published bi-monthly, the magazine focuses on the policies, people and places that help children, young people and families to play and be more active. 📰➡️ playengland.org.uk/newsblog/playn… #PlayNation #ItAllStartsWithPlay

For the latest news and updates, follow us on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/playna… Get your free magazine subscription here: playnation.uk/subscribe/

Play England has submitted our response to @MHCLG consultations on reforms to national planning policy & guidance. These consultations follow Ministerial commitments in Parliament to strengthen national planning policy on play. playengland.org.uk/newsblog/play-… #ItAllStartsWithPlay

Playwork NOS consultation now open! The consortium is seeking your views on the draft standards for the roles of support playworker, playworker and playwork manager. The consultation closing date is 1 May 2026. playengland.org.uk/newsblog/playw… #Playwork #Playworkers #NOS