HC Deb 21 October 2003 vol 411 c502W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the(a) areas of responsibility, (b) targets and (c) priorities of the Minister for Children are. [122339]

Margaret Hodge

I have responsibility within the Department for Education and Skills for policy on children, young people and families. The creation of the post of Minister for Children in June 2003 brought together within the DfES a number of key responsibilities including some from other Government Departments in order to improve the co-ordination of policy on children, young people and families. From September 2003, the title of this post was changed to Minister for Children, Young People and Families.

The accountability arrangements for PSA and supporting targets affected by this change are:

  • the transfer from the Department of Health of the PSA target on improving the life chances for children in care together with work on the adoption of looked after children;
  • joint ownership of the PSA target on reducing the under-18 conception rate by 50 per cent. by 2010; and
  • the Department of Health will retain the PSA target on improving life outcomes for adults and children with mental health problems with DfES having an important role in ensuring input from social care and other services.

I will also retain responsibilities for the Sure Start targets which aim to ensure that accessible and high quality child care, early education and other services are available for all young children and families.

My priorities are set out in the Green Paper, published in September 2003. We need to ensure we properly protect children at risk within a framework of universal services which support every child to develop their full potential and which aim to protect negative outcomes.

I will be reviewing all targets and structures are now being established within the Department to ensure that our policy ambitions are delivered in the most cost effective manner.