Analysis by CYP Now found that despite the apparent six per cent overall rise in the early intervention grant – from £2.232bn in 2011/12 to £2.365bn in 2012/13, an increase of £133.2m – authorities will be expected to use a combined £291m of the cash to prepare for the extension of free nursery care to 40 per cent of two-year-olds, announced by Chancellor George Osborne in November.
In addition, stark differences were found over the way the grant will be divvied up between councils, with Conservative authorities appearing to fare better than Labour councils.
Eight authorities – Hull, Rotherham, Wolverhampton, Blackpool, Hartlepool, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland and Tower Hamlets – which are all in the bottom third of child wellbeing rankings, will receive an increase to their grant of less than two per cent.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
