Sure Start (Hansard, 18 July 2003)

§ Harry Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what studies have been undertaken 771W about the means and methods to sustain Sure Start projects deemed beneficial when the money under that programme is no longer available for such projects; what replacement programme for Sure Start is envisaged when that is (a) running down and (b) completed in an area; and if he will make a statement. [125545]

§ Margaret Hodge
A national evaluation of Sure Start local programmes (SSLPs) began in January 2001 and is due to run until July 2008. Each SSLP also undertakes its own local evaluation.
Both levels of evaluation will provide information on the effectiveness of local programmes in the short, medium and long-term, identifying examples of good practice and factors associated with the longer-term sustainability of Sure Start local programmes.
Each SSLP receives funding for up to 10 years and is expected to develop a strategy to maintain improved child outcomes as the additional financial contribution declines, including helping mainstream services to implement the lessons from Sure Start. Many SSLPs will form the basis of Children's Centres in their areas.

§ Mrs. Dean
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the latest departmental underspend was accounted for by the Sure Start programme. [125991]

§ Mr. Miliband
My department's expenditure outturn was published in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper on 16 July (command number 5884).
The Department's resources are allocated on a 3 year basis by the Treasury. Departments are allowed to carry forward any unused funds from one year to the next to ensure the most effective use of funds and to recognise the fact that expenditure patterns on some activities, including on capital funding, can be difficult to predict.

§ Mrs. Dean
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Sure Start schemes were completed in each year since 1999; what the annual spending on Sure Start programmes has been in each year since 1998; what plans he has for the expansion of the Sure Start programme; and if he will make a statement. [125992]

§ Margaret Hodge
Each Sure Start local programme (SSLP) receives funding for up to 10 years and is expected to develop a strategy to maintain improved child outcomes as the additional financial contribution declines, including helping mainstream services to implement the lessons from Sure Start. We will also build on programmes like Sure Start, Neighbourhood Nurseries and Early Excellence Centres to create a network of children's centres in disadvantaged areas providing good quality integrated childcare with early education, family and health services, and training and employment advice, for at least 650,000 children and their families.
Table 1 provides information on the number of SSLPs and the date they were announced. Table 2 provides an annual breakdown of SSLPs spending since the inception of the programme in 1999–00 through to 2002–03.
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Table 1

Date announced SSLPs

19 January 1999 59

15 November 1999 69

13 July 2000 65

31 January 2000 67

17 July 2000 179

14 May 2000 85

Total SSLPs 524

Table 2

Financial year SSLPs spend £ million

1999–2000 5

2000–01 56

2001–02 134

2002–03 216

Total SSLPs spend 411

Table 1
Date announced	SSLPs
19 January 1999	59
15 November 1999	69
13 July 2000	65
31 January 2000	67
17 July 2000	179
14 May 2000	85
Total SSLPs	524

Table 2
Financial year	SSLPs spend £ million
1999–2000	5
2000–01	56
2001–02	134
2002–03	216
Total SSLPs spend	411