Children's centres underachieving

He said he was concerned that in some areas not enough was being done to reach those who are hardest to engage and said health services were a vital part of the programme.

"We need to ensure that we are protecting, or getting resources, into children's health and Every Child Matters," he said. However, he stopped short of promising to ringfence money specifically for health services in children's centres.

"The department I came into had more ringfences than necessary, but I was keen to retain Sure Start ringfencing as it is important to focus on early years."