Outside play is crucial, say parents

The survey of more than 1,000 adults, funded by Play England, showedthat 83 per cent want the next government to focus policies more onencouraging children to play outside. The research has been conducted tocoincide with A Manifesto for Children's Play, which is expected to bereleased by Play England at its national conference on Tuesday. Themanifesto calls for the next government to make a pledge to prioritisethe provision of safe places for children to play.

Catherine Prisk, Play England's assistant director, said: "We need toprovide spaces that meet the needs of 21stcentury children, whichdoesn't mean herding them from school to clubs.

"It means giving children adventure playgrounds and public parks, andcreating planning and policing policies that welcome them into theneighbourhood."

Play England is calling for planning and regeneration policies toprotect play areas and green spaces while ensuring new public spaces arechild-friendly. The manifesto also highlights the need for more supportfor voluntary play organisations and more supervised play services afterschool and in the holidays.

Other research findings place the Conservatives marginally ahead as theparty Britons think will do most to ensure children have moreopportunities to play outside. The Tories were selected by 30 per centof adults, compared with 27 per cent for Labour and 19 per cent for theLiberal Democrats.