Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will increase funding for Sure Start in the next Budget.

Local authorities have a duty under the Childcare Act 2006 to ensure there are sufficient Sure Start children’s centres to meet the needs of local families. Funding for children’s services (including children’s centres) is made available through the local government finance settlement. In addition, other government funding, including that for public health, adult skills training and troubled families may also be used locally to support services delivered wholly, or in part, through children’s centres. Children’s services funding for 2020-21 and beyond will be determined in the Spending Review.