Written question WQ94419

Wales was the first country to legislate, guaranteeing children’s right to play. We continue to place great value on play and its importance in the lives of children in our society. All local authorities in Wales are under a statutory duty to assess and demonstrate how they are providing sufficient opportunities for children to play in their area.

Under the duty, local authorities produce full Play Sufficiency Assessments every 3 years, the latest were submitted to the Welsh Government in June 2022, alongside annual local authority play action plans. We are currently reviewing local authorities Play Sufficiency Progress Reports for 2024, and the next full Play Sufficiency Assessments are due in June 2025.

This year, in response to recommendations made within the Ministerial Review of Play report we are working with Play Wales and the Local Authority Play Sufficiency Network in reviewing and refreshing the 'Wales - a Play Friendly Country' Statutory Guidance. The guidance and accompanying toolkit support local authorities in assessing and, as far as is reasonably practicable, securing sufficient opportunities for children to play in their areas.