Early Years Written Answer, 03/02/12 [S]

Written Answer given in response to Liam McArthur's (LD) question asking the Scottish Executive how much new money it has allocated to the Early Years and Early Intervention Change Fund, as referred to on page 38 of the Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13, and what period the money will cover; whether the additional money for the Early Years and Early Intervention Change Fund is in addition to the Sure Start Fund referred to on page viii of the Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13 and how much, over what period, has been allocated to the Sure Start Fund; how much of the Early Years and Early Intervention Change Fund has already been allocated and how much remains available; and whether the remainder of the Early Years and Early Intervention Change Fund total of £270 million will come from existing NHS and local authority budgets and whether the successive year allocations of £20, £45 and £50 million referred to on page 59 of the Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13 will come from this £270 million.

The Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, replied that the Scottish Government will provide £50 million of resource to the Early Years and Early Intervention Change Fund over the current Parliamentary term through the Sure Start component of the Scottish Futures Fund.

The Scottish Government contribution to the Early Years and Early Intervention Change Fund is £50 million over the Parliamentary term. Of that £50 million, £12 million has been allocated. This comprises £1.5 million per year over the next three years to establish a Communities and Families Fund. £1 million per year over the next three years to support free play opportunities and quality play spaces, and £1.5 million per year over the next three years for additional early learning, childcare and parental support for looked after two year olds.

For the full answer to this and other questions see the Scottish Parliament Written Answer Report 3 February 2012 which is available from the Scottish Parliament website.

Further Information

Scottish Parliament Written Answer Report 3 February 2012

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