Early years funding will not be ring-fenced, only the 'most' disadvantaged children will receive two-year-old funding, capital projects are all being suspended, and although Sure Start 'cash' is safeguarded, there will be no ring-fencing of this either. There is to be an early intervention grant, but for 0-19s and once again not ring-fenced.
What does all of this mean for young children? If no money is safeguarded for the early years, will it all be used up in schools, and so will all the work on early intervention over the past ten years be lost?
Local authorities have been told to look at more 'place-based' budgets. How exactly does this Government think a coherent approach to early years will be applied consistently across all parts of the country if budgets are to be focused on place?
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