§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many child care schemes have been started up using New Opportunities Funds; how many of these schemes continued to operate after the first 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [128081]
§ Ms HodgeBy June 2000, awards totalling some £32 million were made to 1,017 individual schemes and to 172 consortia. Each consortium covers from three to more than 40 individual schemes.
The first schemes received their grant in July 1999, and did not begin to function for at least a further month. No scheme has therefore been running for 12 months. NOF has reserved funds for projects that need additional funding, provided they meet certain criteria.
124WSustaining schemes in the long term is of paramount importance. Drawing on the experience of the early stages of the programme, I am soon to meet NOF' s Chairman Baroness Pitkeathly to consider how the programme can be developed to ensure that schemes can be sustained over time.