First Minister John Swinney is set to announce £25 million in funding for local authorities across Scotland, dedicated to the renewal and improvement of play parks.

The funding will be distributed to all councils, enabling them to enhance the standard of existing play areas. The initiative aims to ensure that children have access to safe, high-quality environments for play and social interaction within their local communities.

This financial commitment is supported by the Play Vision Statement and Action Plan for 2025 – 2030, which was published today. The plan outlines a strategic approach to encouraging and supporting play opportunities for children and young people across Scotland.

Speaking ahead of a visit to Woodhead Park in Kirkintilloch, as part of the East Dunbartonshire Travelling Cabinet event, the First Minister emphasised the importance of play in child development: "Playing is key to a child’s healthy development, and by enabling councils to invest in outdoor play parks, we will ensure families can access a safe, high-quality place to play within their communities."


Mr Swinney also linked the funding to the government's broader efforts to tackle child poverty: "This is all part of my driving mission to eradicate child poverty. Other steps we are taking include investing £3 million to develop mitigations for the UK Government’s two-child benefits cap, £37 million to deliver the expansion of the free school meals programme, and putting more money in families’ pockets through the Scottish Child Payment."

Councillor Tony Buchanan, COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People, welcomed the announcement: "COSLA welcomes today’s launch of the Play Vision Statement and Action Plan, play is very important not just for the enjoyment it brings, but also for the part it plays in developing children and young people's social skills, interests, and curiosity. It also assists in developing relationships between parents, carers and other children and young people. The Play Vision Statement and Action Plan provides a good roadmap for how play can be encouraged and supported."

Marguerite Hunter Blair, CEO of Play Scotland and Chair of the external Play Strategy refresh group, also expressed her delight: "We are delighted to be celebrating this clear commitment from the Scottish Government to play opportunities and experiences for all our children and young people. It is fantastic that children’s rights and voices are at the heart of this new vision for play alongside an enthusiastic cross-sectoral collaboration. The clear message coming from the versions of the plan that children have co- produced is simple - more play and better play is good for everyone."