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Councils to publish what they spend on children's centres, children's minister confirms

Local authorities will have to publish information about how much money they are spending on children's centres as part of the Government's policy vision for Sure Start.

Children's minister Sarah Teather, who revealed the plans at a debate in Westminster Hall last week, said that the Government is to publish a policy statement on children's centres in the spring. She said it would be co-produced with the childcare sector and that it will build on ideas and best practice from settings.

Ms Teather said, 'Key areas for reform will include an increase in the use of evidence-based interventions. We believe public money should go to services that have proved their effectiveness, particularly in supporting the most disadvantaged and vulnerable families.

'We also want improved accountability and transparency. That includes the introduction of payment by results so that local authorities and providers are rewarded for the results they achieve. We intend next year to make local authorities publish more information about how they spend their money, so it will be clear what they are spending on children's centres and what money they are holding back for administrative support.'

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