§ 20. Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the Sure Start programme; and if he will make a statement. [157928]
§ Yvette CooperI have been asked to reply. Although initial feedback is very positive, the Sure Start programme is still very new and it is too early to make a thorough assessment of its impact. A major evaluation of Sure Start began in January 2001. It will examine the impact of Sure Start on children, families and communities, both in the short, medium and long term by tracking a sample of 8,000 children and their families over time.
§ 27. Charlotte AtkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of Sure Start on rural deprivation. [157935]
§ Yvette CooperI have been asked to reply. Over time the national evaluation of Sure Start, which commenced at the beginning of 2001, will consider the impact of rural Sure Start programmes on child poverty and deprivation in these areas. Working with the Countryside Agency, Sure Start is developing ten rural pilot programmes, including one in Staffordshire, Moorlands, so that we may learn what works best for disadvantaged children in rural areas.