§ Mr. AllanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he expects(a) the Government's target of free nursery places for 66 per cent. of three-year-olds to be met in every local education authority by 2002 and (b) levels of free provision to be higher than 66 per cent. in some areas by that date; and if he will make a statement. [101521]
§ Ms HodgeThe Government have set a target of providing a free education place for 66 per cent. of all three-year-olds nationally by 2002. We will achieve this as a result of investing £390 million over the three years 1999–2000 to 2001–02, in all local education authority areas. The funding will, however, priorities the areas with the greatest social needs
Many authorities have already invested their own resources to provide early education places for three-year-olds. The funding we are making available builds upon that and will extend provision across all authorities.