Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Peter Soulsby (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 9 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Sure Start/Children's Fund

Question: There are three Sure Starts in my constituency. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is vital that local authorities are fully engaged in the work of Sure Starts and are able effectively to monitor and support the work of Sure Starts in their area?

Answer: Yes, I do. Through the children's trust arrangements, local authorities are taking a lead. I want local authorities to deliver the plans that they have set out for all the children's centres in their areas over the next four or five years. It is also important, however, that local authorities accept their responsibility for working with private and voluntary sector partners and with health and employment services, because the integration that we need in children's centres requires all those other partners to be fully involved. I expect local authorities to take a lead in ensuring that that happens.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 442 c995
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Sure Start programme Children's Fund Children Finance Children's centres
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk