§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce child care centres in every community in the United Kingdom. [68254]
§ Estelle MorrisI have been asked to reply.
Following emerging recommendations of the interdepartmental review of child care, recently carried out and due to report in the autumn, the Chancellor announced on 15 July that funding would be provided for children's centres to be set up in the most disadvantaged areas across England. The Government's long-term aim is to have such a centre in every disadvantaged ward in England. Building, where possible, on existing child care and Sure Start facilities, these centres will sit at the heart of the community offering integrated services and support to children, parents and child care providers. By March 2006, an additional 300,000 children and their parents will have access to health, education and other services through children's centres.