- A coalition of 40+ organisations and experts leading on sport, health, play and child rights is calling on the expected incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham MP, to make it easier for every child to kick a ball about where they live, for their health and wellbeing.
As the World Cup inspires children across the country, and in the same week that a major report has declared the worsening state of children’s health “a national embarrassment”, campaigners are asking Andy Burnham MP to deliver three simple reforms aimed at restoring children’s free “doorstep play”.
Campaigners say that while the tournament has reignited children’s passion for football, screens are not the main thing preventing them from heading outside for a kickabout.
Instead, traffic-dominated streets, discriminatory “No Ball Games” restrictions and outdated rules governing parks and public spaces keep children out of spaces where once they played, socialised and belonged. As a result, too many are stuck indoors and missing out on the everyday play, physical activity, independence and social connection they need.
The challenge – and damaging health impact – is greatest in communities experiencing the highest levels of inequality, where access to gardens, safe streets, green space and affordable organised sport is often most limited.
London Sport, Play England, the Play Commission, Playing Out, Fields in Trust, with other organisations and experts across sport, health, play and children’s sectors have written to Andy Burnham urging him to take three simple, low-cost actions within his first 100 days as Prime Minister:
- Introduce a clear national prohibition on “No Ball Games” signs and similar blanket restrictions on children’s play.
- Make resident-led Play Streets possible everywhere, through a clear national framework.
- Modernise byelaws to prioritise children’s play, informal recreation and active travel in parks and public space.
The call follows the Government’s positive response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s recent Game On report, including its stated ambition to remove unnecessary “No Ball Games” signs and create more opportunities for children and young people to play.
Campaigners are now urging the next Government to turn that commitment into national action, rather than leaving change to individual councils, housing associations and landowners, which would result in a “postcode lottery” for children’s ability to play.
Campaigners are now urging the next Government to turn that commitment into national action, rather than leaving change to individual councils, housing associations and landowners, which would result in a “postcode lottery” for children’s ability to play.
Ingrid Skeels, co-founder of the Playing Out movement, said:
“Children are desperate to play outside and we need to make that possible for them – especially those who have no garden or access to organised activities. Enabling all children to play in their shared doorstep space for free is one of the best ways to get them off screens, active and connecting with friends in real life.
Kicking a ball around or riding your bike around the block near home is also the most democratic and inclusive foundation for informal sport and nurturing future talent. Creating these conditions for healthier, happier childhoods has never been needed more, when children who have the least are stuck in a spiral of worsening health. It’s time for ‘No Ball Games’ signs and other barriers to be removed from children’s local environments so they can play out every day.
These immediate, low-cost measures would help to address physical inactivity, loneliness, poor mental wellbeing and the loss of children’s independence”.
Emily Robinson, CEO of London Sport, said:
“This World Cup has reminded us of the joy, inspiration and sense of belonging that football can create. But once the final whistle blows, every child should have somewhere safe to kick a ball around close to home.
Too many children are still being told they cannot play where they live. Children shouldn’t need access to a formal pitch, an organised club or parents who can drive them across town simply to be active. The spaces outside where they live should be where they play, move and belong.
These are practical, affordable changes that could be delivered quickly. They would send a powerful signal that the Government is serious about tackling the children’s health crisis through prevention and giving every child the freedom to play”.
With around 80% of children’s waking hours spent outside school, campaigners say schools and organised sport cannot solve the children’s health crisis alone. Children must also be able to play, move and socialise safely and freely in the places where they live.
Andy Burnham co-launched England’s previous National Play Strategy in 2008, cancelled by coalition Government in 2010. The letter urges him to renew that ambition for a whole new generation of children, beginning with the three immediate, practical steps.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The letter is coordinated by London Sport, Play England, the Play Commission, Playing Out and Fields in Trust, alongside supporting organisations from across the sport, health, play and children’s sectors.
The coalition is calling for three actions within the Government’s first 100 days:
- A national prohibition on unnecessary “No Ball Games” signs and similar blanket restrictions.
- National action to make temporary, resident-led Play Streets easier to establish.
- Modernisation of model byelaws governing play, cycling and informal recreation in parks and public spaces.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s Game On report recommended action to remove barriers to children’s play. The Government subsequently confirmed its ambition to remove unnecessary “No Ball Games” signs and increase opportunities for children and young people to play.
The organisations are also calling for the measures to form the foundations of a new National Play Strategy for England.
PRESS CONTACTS
Ed Butler, Head of Communications & Public Affairs, London Sport – 07494 525443
Playing Out Co-Founders:
· Wednesday: Alice Ferguson – 07896 957141
· Thursday & Friday: Ingrid Skeels – 07942 029525
