§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the provision of after-school clubs. [140857]
§ Jacqui SmithEarlier this year MORI and BMRB International conducted a series of surveys on the provision of out-of-school hours learning activities in schools. The survey showed that sports, music and the creative and performing arts were the most popular activities, offered at nearly all secondary schools and a significant number of primary schools. Seven out of 10 schools said the amount of out-of-school activities on offer had increased over the last two years. For the first time, dedicated funding has been made available to schools, local education authorities and their partners through the New Opportunities Fund (£160 million from650W April 1999) and the Standards fund (£20 million for 2000–01 and £60 million for 2001–02), to develop structured programmes of activities.
Since April 1999 Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships have reported the creation of 21,138 new childcare places in after school group provision, 12,098 places in before and after school group provision and a further 15,0171 in all year around group provision offering both term-time and holiday care. These 48,253 new places have provided care to some 96,500 children and, taking into account turnover, have added almost 40,000 places to the stock of places available across England.
1 It is not possible to separate after school group provision from all year provision. A small percentage of this figure may only include before school and holiday provision.