§ 17. Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on progress with the sure start scheme. [89223]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggThe first sure start programme, announced in 1998, has worked by bringing together early education, child care, health and family support for the benefit of young children living in disadvantaged areas and their parents.
On 11 December the Government launched the new sure start programme (in England) which will support families from pregnancy until children are 14. The new sure start will bring together universal, free, early education and more and better child care, with greater support where there is greater need, through child care tax credit, children's centres, and on-going support for sure start local programmes.