Tory policy still needs some improvements

Thanks in no small measure to the efforts of ex-leader Iain Duncan Smith's Centre for Social Justice, the Tories have embraced the importance of investing in early intervention. In contrast to the 1980s under Margaret Thatcher, today's Conservative high command realises there certainly is such a thing as society and that it needs proper nurturing to ensure the health of the nation.

Nevertheless there are grounds for concern. On service design and delivery, the Conservatives are keen advocates of independence. This can be liberating, but also risks putting the Every Child Matters agenda in jeopardy. Take the party's continual emphasis on the voluntary sector. Nothing wrong in that: local charities in particular are close to their communities, innovative and generally freer than local authorities, while the bigger charities run substantial programmes very effectively. If this emphasis on the voluntary sector results in a broader, richer mix of services, it will undoubtedly benefit young lives. But if it in fact signals a rolling back of the state's frontiers, where statutory provision is sacrificed - be that cuts to Sure Start or anywhere else - that would be worrying.