§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she has introduced to improve the safety of playgrounds at(a) primary and (b) secondary schools. [54795]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Department's publication "School Grounds, A Guide to Good Practice", contains detailed advice on design and management. This includes guidance on safety issues in school playgrounds.
While there is not any specific funding for upgrading playgrounds, the Government's capital investment in schools in England has risen from £683 million in 1997–98 to £3 billion in the current year (2002–03), and will rise to £3.5 billion next year (2003–04). Local education authorities and schools may draw on this funding for projects which improve playground safety.