Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she is taking steps to encourage local authorities to buy playground equipment from UK manufacturers.

Playgrounds are a vital part of our social infrastructure. They contribute to the health and development of children and young people across the nation and build on the government’s mission of opportunities for all by ensuring everyone has the best start in life.

Local authorities work locally to support adults and children to lead more active lives through access to public leisure services, green space, parks and playground spaces. Their public health budgets are used to deliver local physical activity interventions such as the purchasing of playground equipment. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced, recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities and that procurement is up to the discretion of Local authorities rather than the Government.