Health: Framework will give councils a key role in children's health

Schools may also be given more responsibilities over their pupils' health as part of the national service framework for children, Children Now has learnt.

But the eagerly awaited document may be delayed until the autumn, following the postponement of the publication of the public-health white paper, which will also focus on child health.

Insiders say the framework will encourage councils to run more advertising on healthy eating aimed at children, and provide more support schemes to teach parents about drugs and their child's health.

There is to be a requirement for adequate local play facilities. Children's charities are believed to have put forward strong evidence that increasing opportunities for unaccompanied play is a more effective and cheaper way of burning calories in children than organised sport. They say it would reduce obesity and promote positive mental health.