Nursery World - Sector welcomes extra spending

The Sure Start programme can look forward to an increase in funding of more than 17 per cent in real terms over the next four years as a result of the Government's comprehensive spending review. Although details of the review are not expected to be announced by the Chancellor until later this month, the education budget has already been set. The Department for Education and Skills said that Sure Start funding levels between now and 2007/08 are to rise by 669m - an average rise of 17.3 per cent in real terms, from 1.167bn in 2005/06, rising to 1.483bn in 2006/07 and 1.567bn in 2007/08.

Although details of the review are not expected to be announced by the Chancellor until later this month, the education budget has already been set. The Department for Education and Skills said that Sure Start funding levels between now and 2007/08 are to rise by 669m - an average rise of 17.3 per cent in real terms, from 1.167bn in 2005/06, rising to 1.483bn in 2006/07 and 1.567bn in 2007/08.

The Sure Start programme now incorporates projects such as the planned 1,700 children's centres and Neighbourhood Nurseries, as well as the original 524 Sure Start local programmes.

Margaret Hodge, minister for children, who is now also overseeing the early years sector, said, 'The headline figures are terrific - it's an over 17 per cent real terms increase averaged over the three years of this settlement.'

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