Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Lancashire Director of Children's Services on early intervention, resourcing and identified or non-funding pressures.

Following the meeting I had with my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale and his constituents about early intervention and resourcing, my officials subsequently spoke to Lancashire County Council’s Director of Children’s Services to relay the matters discussed. I understand the Director of Children’s Services has followed up with my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale’s constituent.

Funding for children’s services is an un-ring-fenced part of the wider local government finance settlement, to give local authorities the flexibility to focus on locally determined priorities and, of course, their statutory responsibilities, including children’s social care. Over the five year period from 2015-16 to 2019-20 councils will have access to more than £200 billion to deliver the local services their communities want to see, including children’s services. In February, Parliament confirmed the 2018-19 settlement for local government, providing a real terms increase in resources available to local government - £44.3 billion in 2017-18 to £45.1 billion in 2018-19.