Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Teather and Greg Hands

Monday 11th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Teather]

I know that the hon. Gentleman has raised this issue on many occasions. He might also be aware that last week we announced some changes to the Sure Start programme so that we will be piloting payment by results, for example. We will also require local authorities to publish information about what they are spending and on what services. If local authorities are systematically downgrading services, as he suggests, they will obviously not be eligible to benefit from payment by results, and we will be able to see that clearly from the transparency requirements that we are putting in place.

[Greg Hands (Chelsea and Fulham) (Con)]

The Minister is right to be careful when faced with the wild misrepresentations on the issue from the Opposition Benches. Is she aware that Hammersmith and Fulham council has announced that it is committed not only to maintaining its existing 15 children’s centre venues, but to expanding them by a further one centre?

[Sarah Teather]

I thank my hon. Friend for making that clear and putting it on the record.