Three years on those millions remain conspicuous by their absence. The Government is still insisting that the full promised amount will go to children's play, but changes to lottery distribution are likely to mean that it will no longer be ring-fenced. The result is a climate of uncertainty guaranteed to fuel fears that once again play has been devalued.
This is not a new problem; nor is it by any means unique to the Government.
Last July when shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin criticised alleged waste in public expenditure, he named the Children's Play Council and the Children's Play Information Service as examples. The subtext here is not hard to decode: why, we are invited to ask, is tax payers' money being used for something as frivolous as play?
The truth is that many people simply do not understand why public money should be spent on play. Adults remembering their own childhoods often fail to realise just how different life is today. Increased traffic, parents' changing work patterns, neglected parks and public spaces, the perception - right or wrong - that neighbourhoods are less safe: all these factors have served to curtail children's freedoms. The play opportunities that once occurred naturally now have to be specially created - and it costs.
What is frustrating is that we know how effective investing in play can be in improving outcomes for children and young people. It not only promotes physical health, but encourages children to become well-rounded and resourceful. What's more, play-friendly neighbourhoods are likely to be safer and better places for everyone who lives there. Politicians may think of this issue as child's play - but for the rest of us it is an extremely serious matter. That is why the previous election promise to support play should be upheld.
