Protests grow over cuts to play schemes

www.grub4life.com today reports that campaigners have described the Government's decision to put a freeze on up to 1,500 play area schemes as a 'knee-jerk reaction to cost cutting' that could damage efforts to halt child obesity.     
23-08-2010

The freeze to the £235m Playbuilder scheme was confirmed by education secretary Michael Gove in July. The DfE has written to every local authority to request the status of the 1,500 capital play projects that have not yet been completed. It will only allow those that are already under construction to be finished.

Betty McBride, communications and policy director at the British Heart Foundation, said, 'When only one in ten youngsters get enough exercise, playgrounds can provide a cheap, fun and easy way for children to get active outdoors. It'll end up costing society more in the long run as we continue to fight against childhood obesity.'
 
With thanks to www.nurseryworld.co.uk
 
To read the full story go to:

http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/bulletin/NurseryWorldUpdate/article/1022586/?DCMP=EMC-CONNurseryWorldUpdate