To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether funding provided by his Department to local authorities for children centres and Sure Start programmes is ring-fenced for existing programmes. (189767)

The Sure Start, early years and child care grant, paid to local authorities, includes funding for Sure Start children’s centres and is ring-fenced. Within that grant funding for Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLPs), and children’s centres based on Sure Start Local Programmes, is further ring-fenced and can be used only for services in SSLPs, and Sure Start children’s centres based on SSLPs.