§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of children living in poverty will be covered by a Sure Start Scheme in(a) 2000, (b) 2002, (c) 2003, (d) 2004 and (e) 2005; and if he will make a statement. [103704]
§ Maria EagleBy July 2003, when the target of over 500 Sure Start local programmes has been met, they will reach around 30 per cent. of all children under four living in poverty, and provide a basis for mainstreaming the principles of Sure Start into all services for young children and their families. The Sure Start local programmes which were approved by July 2000 covered some 4 per cent. of children under four living in poverty, and those approved by July 2002 covered some 17 per cent. of such children. The Government's 2002 Spending Review provides for the future development of children's centres in disadvantaged wards to reach further children in poverty.