The group's chair, Labour MPHelen Goodman, suggested themes for future meetings, including extended schools and play, learning from the Welsh experience of play policy, planning for play space in new housing developments, and the children's workforce. She stressed the importance of the group being an 'action group' to move forward issues that have a negative impact on children's access to play.
The group's next meeting, to take place in early spring, will consider the role of play in extended schools.
A spokesperson for SkillsActive, the organisation providing administrative and research support for the group, said that over the coming months the play sector would campaign for a play strategy in England.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is also leading a cross-government group on play, to consider key policy areas and activities affecting children's play. David Lammy, minister for culture, said last month that he did not view a national play strategy as the direction of travel for England (see Out of School, 10 November 2005).
Adrian Voce, director of the Children's Play Council, highlighted the need for parliamentarians to help guarantee that play is a Government priority.
