B. Funding

• New Opportunities Fund (160 million pounds sterling from the National Lottery, plus an additional 80 million pounds announced from the DfEE Standards on September 14, 1999). This fund is targeted at the development of out of school hours learning activities.
• Sure Start
• Working Families' Tax Credit with increases in the March, 2000 budget. This is applicable to children under 16 years.
• Childcare Tax Credit replaces the Childcare Disregard and is a separate component in the Working Families' Tax Credit and the Disabled Person's Tax Credit. On March 16, 1999 it was announced that more breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs were eligible for the childcare tax credit for the 8-14 year old (up to 16 years for disabled children). The childcare costs of registered family day care homes (childminders), registered nurseries also are included.
• Children's Tax Credit will be in effect in April 2001 at 8.50 pounds. It replaces the married couple's allowance and associated benefits.
• New Deal for the Unemployed and New Deal for Lone Parents
• Local Government Programmes
• Standards fund for Early Years Training and Development to support additional staff working with 3 to 4 year olds, and to support the development of a training framework for workers preparing for the implementation of the Early Learning Goals.
• European Union Funding for specified purposes
• New Deal for Communities in disadvantage and deprivation

BACK TO POLICY CONTENTS | NEXT ARTICLE