§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate the impact of extending the Government's children's centres to cover 30 per cent. of the most disadvantaged wards in England by 2006. [105311]
§ Maria EagleThe Government's long-term aim is that all young children living in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged wards have access to children's centre services. These centres will promote the physical, intellectual and social development of young children; they will also help to reduce child poverty by enabling parents, including lone parents, to maximise their chances to work, and to build stronger, safer communities. By March 2006 we plan to reach at least 650,000 pre-school children—and to create nearly 43,000 extra child care places for them. We recognise that pockets of extreme disadvantage exist outside of these wards, and the Sure Start Unit will consider proposals from local authorities to locate children's centres in such areas.
In the long-term, providing access to children's centre services will reach approximately one million children under five in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged wards. Extending this provision to cover the 30 per cent. most disadvantaged wards would reach approximately 340,000 additional children. We recognise that all young children would benefit from children's centre services, and the Sure Start Unit is promoting the wider adoption of this integrated approach. However the £435 million available to meet our targets by 2006 is focused on areas where need is greatest.