Plymouth Sutton could see new or improved play areas for children and places for young people to go, as part of the Government’s Children’s Plan.  

Linda Gilroy says she wants parents, young people and community groups in Plymouth Sutton to come together to bid for some of the new funding, announced by Children’s Secretary Ed Balls this week.  

Labour’s Children’s Plan announced £225 million to build or upgrade 3,500 play areas across the country – an average of 23 in every local authority. And £160 million will be available over the next two years for new youth facilities, which will be shaped by young people themselves. Across the country this could mean either 50 new state of the art youth centres, or 500 refurbished centres, or 2,000 smaller scale centres or mobile units.  

Other announcements in the Children’s Plan include more support for families with new measures to help parents take a more active role in their children’s education, a review of the primary curriculum, a move towards ‘testing when ready’ and more catch-up support for children falling behind. 

Linda Gilroy said “The Children’s Plan sets out what the Government will do to back parents as they bring up their children, tackle all the barriers that hold children back and unlock the talents of all our young people and not just some.  

“Play is a vital part of children growing up, developing, learning and exploring and I want to see more good quality facilities where children can play safely. I will be asking local parents where new play facilities are needed or where existing ones need to be upgraded – so that our community can come together and start bidding for the new funding announced in the Children’s Plan.  

“And I also want new things to do and places to go for young people in our area. This could include facilities for sport, music, drama or art – but it will be down to young people themselves to shape what’s provided. So I want to hear from young people and the local community about what facilities they would like to see and start putting together our plans. 

“I want us make the most of the new investment and make the Children’s Plan a reality in our area.”