Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 3 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 April 2003. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2003 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how long Surestart programmes for children last.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how long Surestart programmes for children last. [107819] Maria Eagle: Sure Start local programmes have guaranteed funding up to March 2006 and there is an in principle commitment to support them until 2013-14. This would mean each local programme is funded for a period of 10 years. Over this time we expect good practice developed in these programmes to be disseminated widely so that mainstream services become more responsive to the needs of young children and their families.

Secondary information