£18m announced for playgrounds as Chancellor visits Kettering manufacturer
Rachel Reeves visits Wicksteed Leisure to mark budget investment in outdoor spaces
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves visited Wicksteed Leisure in Kettering to mark the £18m investment in playgrounds across England, announced in last month’s Budget.
During her visit to Wicksteed Leisure’s headquarters on Digby Street yesterday (11 December), Reeves toured the factory floor alongside Kettering MP Rosie Wrighting. The pair saw how playground equipment is designed and manufactured, with Reeves meeting staff who work on the production line.
The £18m funding aims to rejuvenate up to 200 playgrounds across England over two years, creating safer and exciting spaces for children to play. The funding is part of a wider effort to address inequalities in outdoor access across different socio-economic backgrounds.
“It was a pleasure to visit Wicksteed today, a national institution that has brought joy to millions of children through their playground equipment over many decades,” Reeves said.
She added: “This funding will breathe new life into play areas across England, creating safe, exciting spaces for thousands of children. It will enrich and empower communities – giving every child a place to play and grow, wherever they live.”
Local MP highlights investment in young people
Accompanying Reeves, Kettering MP Rosie Wrighting praised the playground funding as an important step forward, emphasising the impact it could have on children’s lives.
“Wicksteed has such an incredible history of making equipment for playgrounds across the country,” Wrighting said. “Every child should have access to safe, fun and inclusive places to play and, by revamping playgrounds, this Labour Government is investing in our children’s future.”
The funding also builds upon the Government’s £5 billion Pride in Place programme, allowing communities to take control of how their areas are shaped and improved. Wrighting recently secured £20m in funding for Avondale Grange, encouraging community members to contribute their ideas by completing an online survey about its use.
Supporting local industries
Katherine Perkins, Managing Director of Wicksteed Leisure, welcomed the Chancellor to the factory and highlighted the positive impact the Budget announcement could have.
“The budget announcement allocating £18 million to play is outstanding news, and when combined with the Pride in Place funding, it will significantly improve deprived playgrounds - bringing new life to these spaces,” Perkins said.
“This investment will also support local employment and help strengthen the wider supply chain."