§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what comments the Government has made to the future funding of A National Voice; and what guarantees have been made to the Prince's Trust in respect of their mentoring role. [175712]
§ Mr. Ivan Lewis[holding answer 26 May 2004]:The Government recognise the particular value of A National Voice as the only organisation campaigning to improve the quality of public care for children and young people that is actually led by care-experienced young people.
That is why DfES has awarded a Safeguarding Children and Supporting Families Grant to the Prince's Trust for its work as "host organisation" to A National Voice. This award can only be spent on a National Voice. Subject to the terms and conditions set out in the grant award letter this offers funding to A National Voice for the current and next two financial years of up to £100,000 per year.