Written question asked by Lord Trimble (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 12 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 January 2005. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 24 January 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the proposed level of funding for childcare provision in schools is for the next three years. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the proposed level of funding for child care provision in schools is for the next three years. [209182] Margaret Hodge: The Government are committed to supporting the provision of child care in schools as part of the wider extended schools initiative in England. Decisions about the provision of child care in Northern Ireland are made by the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the financial year 2005-06 my Department will be making available just over £107 million to support the development of extended schools, including school based child care. In later years we will provide further funding to support the development of school based child care. An announcement will be made in due course. In addition to this £14 million from the Young People's Fund element of the Big Lottery Fund has been made available to 78 local authorities over three years from 2004-05 to support the development of extended schools across their areas. Schools can also charge parents for child care and in turn, parents, who are eligible, can claim part of the cost through the child care element of the working tax credit.

Secondary information