The government last week published the Pre-Budget Report and the Local Government Finance Settlement. Together, these documents provide professionals with the information they need to plan children's services for the year ahead. Chancellor Alistair Darling plans to revive Britain's flagging economy by pumping £20bn into it next year. But he will recoup the cash, plus a bit more, in the following three years. He will also accelerate capital projects worth £800m. This means primary schools in around 40 local authorities could be rebuilt or refurbished sooner...