To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schemes aimed at (a) improving parenting skills, (b) supporting dysfunctional families and (c) providing diversionary activities for young people at risk of offending his Department and its predecessors have introduced since 1997; how much has been spent on each; and whether any ring-fenced funding has been provided to local authorities to finance such schemes. (312229)

Between April 1997 and March 2009, we have identified 13 key policies that contribute to: (a) improving parenting skills, (b) supporting dysfunctional families and (c) providing diversionary activities for young people at risk of offending. This consists of £168 million on schemes that are aimed at improving parenting skills, £34 million supporting dysfunctional families and £439 million providing diversionary activities for young people at risk of offending. Of this, £164 million has been ring-fenced funding.

In addition to this, Sure Start has a total spend to date of £4,808 million and would contribute to both part (a) and (b) respectively. This funding is also ring- fenced.