HL Deb 28 April 2004 vol 660 cc87-8WA
Lord Pendry

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the terms "play and recreation" as set out in the Green Paper Every Child Matters, will be included on the face of the Children Bill and not left to interpretation. [HL2398]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

As stated in EveryChild Matters: Next Steps, the Government are committed to embedding the five outcomes identified by children into their programme for change to improve the well-being of children and young people. This includes the recognition that, in each local area, young people need "opportunities for personal development, learning and recreation outside school hours, including access to sport, art and cultural activities". The five identified outcomes for children are: being healthy; staying safe; enjoying and achieving; making a positive contribution, and economic well-being.

The Children Bill seeks to reflect these outcomes legislatively—providing a context to ensure work by all parties is clearly based on what children and young people have told us is important. The translation of the outcomes into legislation has had to reflect wording which is appropriate for legislation. However, the intent remains unchanged. We are confident that the combination of the outcomes that refer to "education and training" and "social and economic well-being" do encompass the important matters of play, recreation and leisure activities. This ensures that these areas will be covered by the legislative framework and included in the work that local agencies do in assessing the needs of local children and young people and making arrangements to meet them.