To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much of his Department's £2.4 billion unspent capital funding at the end of the financial year 2008-09 referred to in the National Audit Office's report on financial management in his Department, HC 267, Session 2008-09, had been earmarked for early years capital programmes; for which such programmes such funding was earmarked; and whether that unspent funding will be carried over into future years. (284302)

The cumulative amount of the Department's unspent capital funding as at the end of the 2008-09 financial year relating to early years capital programmes is £363 million.

The Programmes that this affects is the delivery of Sure Start Children Centres, early years provision and childcare.

Unspent capital funding from prior financial years as well as 2008-09, is added to the Department's end of year flexibility (EYF).