HC Deb 13 November 2001 vol 374 c716W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost will be of the public service agreement target of increasing provision of nursery places for three year olds from 34 per cent. to 66 per cent.; and if it will be achieved by 2002. [14090]

Mr. Timms

Many local authorities provide funding for nursery education on top of resources the Government make available through direct grant to provide nursery education places. The Government have increased the under 5s sub-block within Education Standard Spending (ESS) by more than the level of inflation which has increased the resources available for this and other purposes. However, it is not possible to identify separately the total amounts spent specifically on three-year-olds.

We have made £390 million of direct grant funding available between 1999-2000 and 2001–02 to help increase the number of three year olds with access to a free early education place from 34 per cent. to 66 per cent. by March 2002. The target will be met in full.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if she will make a statement on progress made on the public service agreement targets for objective 2 which are described on page 8 of the departmental report 2000; [14089]

(2) on progress towards meeting the public service agreement targets of (a) an increase in the proportion of people aged 19 years who have achieved national vocational qualification level 2 or equivalent from 72 per cent. to 85 per cent. by 2002, (b) a reduction by one third in exclusions by 2002, (c) a reduction by one third in school truancies by 2002 and (d) increasing provision of nursery places for three-year-olds from 34 per cent. to 66 per cent. by 2002. [14049]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

While we are making good progress in increasing the achievement of level 2 by 19-year-olds which is based on current trends, it is apparent that the target may not be reached. We are working closely with the Learning and Skills Council to ensure maximum progress is made towards achieving this target.