Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Blomfield Excerpts
Monday 4th March 2013

(11 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend, who has a formidable record in campaigning to support family life. It is a massive challenge. No single set of Government interventions will help to sustain family life, but it is important that we do what we can. I look forward to working with him to ensure that we can support people who stay together and who demonstrate love and support for the next generation.

Paul Blomfield Portrait Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)
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T4. The Government have cut Sheffield’s early intervention grant by 27%, or £6.8 million, forcing the council to make deep cuts to early years provision. Last week the Secretary of State was invited to present evidence to the council’s children, young people and family support scrutiny committee. As he missed that opportunity, will he now tell the House what he would say to some of the most vulnerable families in our city whose child care is threatened as a result of his decision?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I am reliably informed by the Department that in this financial year £25.2 million has been allocated to Sheffield in the early intervention grant. [Interruption.] It is a 3.9% increase on last year.