What level of funding has been allocated to each local authority to implement the Sure Start initiative and what measures it is taking to e…

Sure Start Scotland seeks to give a positive start to very young children's lives by providing broad-based support to children and families from deprived areas. The Scottish Executive has allocated a total of £80m for this from 1999-2004. Information on individual local authority allocations is contained in the funding letters issued by the Scottish Executive, which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (SPICE) Bib numbers 15104 and 15106. We have set out clear guidance on the aims and objectives, and the process for planning and delivering Sure Start Scotland. A Ministerial-level conference emphasised the importance we attach to these objectives. Local authorities have provided returns setting out their proposals, indicative outputs and levels of actual and planned expenditure. Officials hold regular discussions with local agencies and have requested interim reports on outputs and expenditure from those (few) local authorities who do not seem to be giving Sure Start Scotland sufficient priority.The Executive is setting up a national evaluation of Sure Start Scotland. The first phase, which we expect to commence this month, will focus on mapping the provision of services throughout the country. The second phase will focus on impact and outcomes for children and families. The evaluation should inform good practice in delivering services. We plan to report on the first stage of this exercise by early next year.