Pre-school Education: Finance

Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what funding was allocated to Sure Start, child care and early years in each of the last three financial years;

(2) what total funding for Sure Start, child care and early years will be in each of the next three financial years;

(3) what representations he has received on the implications of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review for Sure Start, child care and early years funding.

Beverley Hughes
The funding allocated to Sure Start, child care and early years in each of the last three financial years is shown in the table.

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|                            |£000     |
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|2004-05                     |1,065,707|
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|2005-06                     |1,321,504|
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|2006-07                     |1,539,567|
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|Source:DfES supply estimates|         |
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In addition, Government invest some £3 billion each year in the delivery of the free entitlement to nursery education for three and four-year-olds. Funding is provided to local authorities through the dedicated schools grant.

The Department received its CSR settlement for 2008-11 in the 2007 Budget. Announcements about specific allocations will be made over the coming months.

The Department has had many discussions with a wide range of stakeholders during preparations for and the run up to the Comprehensive Spending Review and will continue to do so as allocations are finalised.