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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what activities his Department are funding for children and young people over the summer holiday period; and how much funding will be made available. [184165] Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for Education and Skills and Big Lottery Fund joined forces with the Youth Justice Board, Home Office and Department for Culture Media and Sport to combine previous holiday activity schemes and deliver a Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) programme. It is designed to divert and develop those young people aged 8-19 most at risk of social exclusion and committing crime and to steer their energy in a positive direction. It is being delivered across England from May 2003 to March 2006. £25 million funding for activities is available for the current year. A further £13.75 million is provided, annually, by the DfES to fund keyworkers throughout England. Provision takes place in all of the school holiday periods. The largest proportion of the budget is planned to be spent over the summer period but detailed information is not available. Regional Government offices have the flexibility to manage local needs and it is for them to decide upon the balance of provision. In addition to activities one to one support is available for the most at risk young people. The programme comprises quality arts, sports and cultural activities and encourages young people to continue in these activities after the programme ends. It aims to bring together young people from different geographical and ethnic minority communities to help break down prejudices and misunderstanding.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

184165; 423 c1248W;423 c1248-9W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Children Finance Leisure Facilities Holidays Outdoor recreation Schools Young people Sports

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk