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NEWS RELEASE

24 June 2008

Pre-school Learning Alliance welcomes Government’s package of new pilot measures to tackle child poverty

Responding to new package of measures to tackle child poverty and increase social mobility, Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, the largest voluntary provider of childcare in England said,

"The Alliance warmly welcomes these initiatives that seek to reduce child poverty. We welcome the plans for a new £200 Child Development Grant and are also particularly pleased to see pilot studies to improve understanding around tax credits which we believe are much needed due to their current low take up and inaccessibility.

The proposal to extend the London childcare affordability pilots is also supported. We know how big a difference this initiative can make in helping families to access childcare. However, we must make sure this money is ringfenced and that innovative approaches are shared.

Whilst we also welcome the £20 million available through grants to local authorities to develop new and innovative approaches to tackle the cause and consequences of child poverty; we have concerns about how effectively the money will be distributed. Our experience is that funding to be distributed via Local Authorities can be subject to variable practices, and that services do not always reap the full benefit."

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Kate Summerside
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2502
Out of hours press calls: 07956 499621
E: Kate Summerside

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 15,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
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