All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play
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The APPG on Play is a cross-party group of Members of Parliament and the House of Lords committed to championing every child’s right to play by promoting its value, protecting time and space, and building acceptance across society.
Purpose
The group will advocate for a new National Play Strategy and play sufficiency legislation to ensure all children, in every community, have the freedom and opportunity to play every day.
Strategic Objectives
Establish the APPG as Parliament’s cross-party voice for play
Champion a new National Play Strategy (2.0)
Support Play Sufficiency legislation (NC82)
Advocate for a long-term funding settlement for play (£125 million annually)
Support the creation of a Minister for Play
Align with sector strategies and amplify voices of children, families, and communities
Reinforce legislative levers including NPPF Reform and the NC82 Amendment
Strategic Alignment
Play England strategy – It All Starts with Play! (2025–2035)
Raising the Nation Play Commission – Everything to Play For
Historical context: History and Impact of the First APPG on Play (2005–2010)
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Chair: Tom Hayes MP
Officers: (Vice Chairs)
Lord Greville Howard
Natasha Irons MP
Vikki Slade MP
Secretariat: Play England
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MP’s (31)
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
Matthew Turmaine MP
Alison Taylor MP
Tessa Munt MP
Tim Roca MP
Sam Rushworth MP
Dan Aldridge MP
Tom Collins MP
Andy MacNae MP
Alistair Strathern MP
Michael Wheeler MP
Connor Rand MP
Peers (9)
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
Baroness Natalie Bennett
Baroness Christine Blower
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.
APPG on Play - Inaugural Meeting & AGM
On Tuesday 2nd September 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.
Attendance is strictly by invitation only.
Our first meeting will introduce the group, elect officers, and provide an overview of key national developments. The outline agenda is:
Election of Officers and confirmation of APPG purpose
Briefing: History and Impact of the First APPG on Play (2005–2010)
Play England’s new 10-year strategy, launched at the House of Commons on 13 May 2025: It All Starts with Play! (2025–2035)
Raising the Nation Play Commission Final Report, launched at the House of Lords on 11 June 2025: Everything to Play For
APPG forward plan for future meetings dates, themes/topics and guest speakers.