At present Sure Start programmes offer support and advice to families with children aged under three in the most disadvantaged areas of the country. They can now apply for funds to provide services during pregnancy, with the aim of tackling problems such as poor nutrition, low infant birthweight, smoking and access to benefits.
The 60m will be made available over three years and is part of the package announced in the Government's Spending Review 2000, which paved the way for a massive expansion of Sure Start to a target of 500 schemes by 2003/2004.
Ms Cooper told a seminar in London organised by the Institute for Public Policy and Research, 'I am delighted to announce a 60m boost to support pregnant women and their partners in low-income areas.
'The Government is today publishing new guidance for Sure Start programmes which sets out new services and targets that Sure Start will need to meet in order to reach families before the baby is born. Ministers are also writing to existing Sure Starts to invite them to bid for additional resources to support pregnant women and their partners.' New services which may be developed among Sure Start programmes include extra ante-natal support such as health checks and advice provided in the family home or local community centres; clinics and support groups where women can meet other pregnant women and parents; specialist help and advice for women who want to give up smoking during pregnancy; advice on benefits, maternity and paternity leave and pay and family finances; information on nutrition, including access to food co-ops and affordable healthy food; childcare, training and education options for parents who want to return to work; and advice on breastfeeding and support to tackle post-natal depression.
* Education and employment minister Tessa Blackstone last week announced that awards totalling 2.8m had been made to selected projects to open up opportunities for adult learning within local communities.
Grants ranging from 3,000 to 38,000 are going to a variety of projects, such as the Old Trafford Family Centre in Manchester, which receives 3,000 to offer parents opportunities to improve their basic skills and increase their understanding of how children learn.
