All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play
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The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play is a cross-party group of MPs and Peers working in Parliament to champion all children’s right to play.
Play is essential for childhood. It supports children’s health, wellbeing, development, and rights — yet its importance is often overlooked in national policy, planning, and decision-making.
The APPG on Play provides a dedicated forum in Parliament to change that — promoting the value of play, protecting play spaces, and ensuring all children, in all communities, can play freely every day.
The group brings together parliamentarians, experts, charities, and children themselves to drive action, influence policy, and help embed play in public life.
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Chair Elect: Tom Hayes MP
Officers: Subject to formal electionSecretariat: Play England
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MP’s
Tom Hayes MP
Jas Athwal MP
Sir Nicholas Dakin MP
Helena Dollimore MP
Daniel Francis MP
Jodie Gosling MP
Dr Rupa Huq MP
Leigh Ingham MP
Natasha Irons MP
Laura Kyrke-Smith MP
Clive Lewis MP
Helen Maguire MP
John McDonnell MP
Iqbal Mohamed MP
Tristan Osborne MP
Jim Shannon MP
Vikki Slade MP
Will Stone MP
Peter Swallow MP
Alice Macdonald MP
Dr Beccy Cooper MP
Peers
Baroness Floella Benjamin
Baroness Anne Longfield
Lord Greville Howard
Lord Hunt of King’s Heath
Baroness Ruth Lister of Burtersett
Baroness Mary Goudie
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
APPG on Play - Inaugural AGM and First Meeting
On Tuesday 22 July 2025, the inaugural Annual General Meeting and first official meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play will take place, during which the parliamentarian officers will be elected for the coming year.
There is growing recognition that play is essential for children’s wellbeing, development, and rights, yet its fundamental role in creating healthy, inclusive, and thriving communities remains overlooked in national policy, legislation and decision-making.
This new APPG will provide a dedicated, cross-party forum in Parliament to promote play as critical to childhood and public life - championing the importance of play-friendly neighbourhoods, accessible spaces, and supportive systems that ensure all children, everywhere, can play freely every day.
Attendance is strictly by invitation only.
APPG on Play - September 2025
On Tuesday 2nd September 2025 (TBC), the next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play will take place, co-hosted with young people from the Norfolk Youth Advisory Board (YAB), who played an active role in shaping Play England’s new 10-year national strategy.
Ensuring children and young people have a real voice in national decisions about play is central to the APPG’s purpose. This meeting will highlight that commitment in practice, with the Norfolk YAB leading a presentation on their Right to Play campaign, developed by children and young people to champion inclusion, access, and the right to play in every community.
The APPG provides a cross-party platform in Parliament to promote play as essential for childhood and community life. Hearing directly from children and young people about their lived experience and priorities will strengthen this work and help ensure play is recognised, protected, and embedded in policy and practice.
Attendance is strictly by invitation only.
APPG on Play - November 2025
Date & Time: To be confirmed
The next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play will take place in Parliament. Full details — including the date, time, and agenda — will be confirmed shortly.
The APPG on Play is the cross-party group working in Parliament to champion all children’s right to play — promoting the value of play, protecting play spaces, and ensuring play is embedded in public life.
Meetings provide a forum for MPs, Peers, experts, and children and young people to discuss the key issues affecting children’s right to play, share evidence, and drive progress through policy and parliamentary action.
Contact: appg@playengland.org.uk for further information or to express interest in attending.
APPG on Play - January 2026
Date & Time: To be confirmed
The next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play will take place in Parliament. Full details — including the date, time, and agenda — will be confirmed shortly.
The APPG on Play is the cross-party group working in Parliament to champion all children’s right to play — promoting the value of play, protecting play spaces, and ensuring play is embedded in public life.
Meetings provide a forum for MPs, Peers, experts, and children and young people to discuss the key issues affecting children’s right to play, share evidence, and drive progress through policy and parliamentary action.
Contact: appg@playengland.org.uk for further information or to express interest in attending.
APPG on Play - March 2026
Date & Time: To be confirmed
The next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play will take place in Parliament. Full details — including the date, time, and agenda — will be confirmed shortly.
The APPG on Play is the cross-party group working in Parliament to champion all children’s right to play — promoting the value of play, protecting play spaces, and ensuring play is embedded in public life.
Meetings provide a forum for MPs, Peers, experts, and children and young people to discuss the key issues affecting children’s right to play, share evidence, and drive progress through policy and parliamentary action.
Contact: appg@playengland.org.uk for further information or to express interest in attending.
APPG on Play - May 2026
Date & Time: To be confirmed
The next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play will take place in Parliament. Full details — including the date, time, and agenda — will be confirmed shortly.
The APPG on Play is the cross-party group working in Parliament to champion all children’s right to play — promoting the value of play, protecting play spaces, and ensuring play is embedded in public life.
Meetings provide a forum for MPs, Peers, experts, and children and young people to discuss the key issues affecting children’s right to play, share evidence, and drive progress through policy and parliamentary action.
Contact: appg@playengland.org.uk for further information or to express interest in attending.
APPG on Play - July 2026 (AGM)
Date & Time: To be confirmed
The next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play will take place in Parliament. Full details — including the date, time, and agenda — will be confirmed shortly.
The APPG on Play is the cross-party group working in Parliament to champion all children’s right to play — promoting the value of play, protecting play spaces, and ensuring play is embedded in public life.
Meetings provide a forum for MPs, Peers, experts, and children and young people to discuss the key issues affecting children’s right to play, share evidence, and drive progress through policy and parliamentary action.
Contact: appg@playengland.org.uk for further information or to express interest in attending.