The Raising the Nation Play Commission Inquiry’s interim report highlights growing barriers to play in England, including playground closures, concerns about traffic and safety, cuts to park budgets and play facilities, the growth of a ‘No Ball Game’ anti-play culture and a reduction in school playtime.
According to the Inquiry, being led by entrepreneur and campaigner Paul Lindley - founder of Ella’s Kitchen, the time children spend playing outdoors has declined by 50 per cent in a generation, at least 400 playgrounds closed across in England between 2012-22, spending on play facilities fell by 44 per cent between 2017/18 and 2020/21, while the distance children are allowed to roam at the age of eight is estimated to have fallen from six miles to just over 300 yards over four generations.
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