Schools minister Jacqui Smith was responding to Labour conferencedelegates' concerns over long term funding for extended schools.Addressing a Citizens Advice fringe meeting, she said that Governmentinvestment was likely to continue at the same level after the currentfunding allocation runs out.
"While I can't promise additional money yet, I cannot envisage in twoyears time this Government putting a major brake on funding," shesaid.
The Department for Education and Skills expects that every child will beable to access extended school services by 2010. It has committed atotal of 680m to support the development of extended schools from2006 to 2008.
Many in the children's sector had expected that funding would notcontinue at the same level after 2008 and that there would be a greaterfocus on charging for activities. Key figures in children's servicesexpressed relief after hearing of the minister's surprise comments thisweek.
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