§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any of their 500 Sure Start programmes for deprived children include any rural communities. [HL171]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandThere are 13 full Sure Start programmes in rural areas. These programmes are developing innovative ways to deliver in rural areas the high quality services that characterise Sure Start in towns and cities.
In addition, we are funding a pilot project of 50 mini Sure Start programmes in rural areas and pockets of deprivation. These programmes cover areas where the number of disadvantaged children living in a defined area is considerably less than the 800 required for a typical full programme and so would not be covered by the traditional Sure Start model. The mini Sure Starts are building on existing services like neighbourhood nurseries or other facilities delivering children's services and using Sure Start funding to deliver outreach and additional health work. Of the 50 mini Sure Start pilots, 29 are in rural areas.