§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the(a) total set up and (b) latest annual operating costs were for the East of England Centre for Playwork Education and Training; and what the sources of those funds are; [168779]
(2) what the aims and objectives are for the East of England Centre for Playwork Education and Training; and how many staff are involved in this organisation. [168795]
§ Margaret HodgeThe East of England Centre is one of nine regional centres for Playwork Education and Training operated by the Playwork Unit of Skillsactive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning. The Government, through the SureStart Unit and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, contributes to the funding of the Playwork Unit. In 2003–04, £50,000 of this contribution went to the East of England Centre and a similar amount will again go to the Centre in 2004–05.
The aims and objectives of the Playwork Unit and its regional centres are to: raise the level of understanding about the importance of children's play; improve the access to good quality play provision throughout England; and improve children's lives by setting standards of excellence in education, training and qualifications and developing opportunities for playworkers to access education, training and qualifications.
The total set up costs, annual operating costs and staff numbers of the East of England Centre are the responsibility of the Playwork Unit of Skillsactive, which is a charitable organisation.