HM TREASURY 5                                       14 July 1998
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CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW OF PROVISION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Commenting on the outcome of the review Tessa Jowell, Minister of
State for Public Health, said today 

          "I welcome the results of the CSR for young children. We
will work with parents to give young children in
disadvantaged areas a sure start in life, helping them to
be ready to learn when they reach school. Investing in our youngest
and most vulnerable children is the best investment we can
make."


The Government will improve support for children in the early stages
of their lives by:

          setting up a Sure Start programme funded by a new
          Children's Fund, targeted on areas of greatest need;

          ensuring every new mother in Sure Start areas receives a
          visit by an outreach worker within the first three months;

          measurably improving the early development of children in
          Sure Start areas.


Sure Start programmes will:

          work with parents to promote the physical, intellectual and
          social development of pre-school children - particularly
          those who are disadvantaged - to ensure they are ready to
          learn when they get to school;

          build on existing services to provide a range of childcare,
          early education and play facilities, primary health care
          for children and their mothers, advice and support for
          parents, and other services to meet local needs. Outreach 
          workers will offer support in the home;

          be open to all families in the catchment area, with
          services free to those on low incomes and available at a
          fair cost to better off families where not already provided
          free;

          develop services in consultation with parents to ensure
          they take account of their needs and wishes.


Key numbers (UK)
#' million         1999-2000    2000-2001    2001-2002

Total plans        100          220          220
-    Current       38           130          150
-    Capital       63           90           70

Figures may not add up due to rounding.

Notes for Editors:

1.   The Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced the start of the
Comprehensive Spending Review in a statement to the House of
Commons on 11 June 1997.  The Review had been promised in the
1997 Labour Election Manifesto.

2.   The Cross-Departmental Review of Provision for Young Children
involved 13 Departments and examined the services currently
provided for children aged 0-7. In particular, it considered
whether the multiple causes of social exclusion affecting young
children could be more effectively tackled at the family and
community level using a more integrated approach to service
provision. The Review was led at official level by Treasury and
the Ministerial Steering Group was chaired by Tessa Jowell.

3.   Sure Start will be funded through a new Children's Fund, which
will be administered by new inter-departmental arrangements. It
will be targeted on areas of greatest need, reaching up to 5% of
0-3 year olds and their families over time.

4.   The Government will also put in place arrangements to ensure
that the new investment is well spent and the effectiveness and
coordination of existing services is improved .

PRESS OFFICE
     
Press enquiries to:
0171 270 5238

Non-media enquiries to:
0171 270 4558

If you have access to the Internet you can find this news release at 
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. Other Treasury material can also be
found at this address



# = pounds sterling