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<p>As set out in the government response to recommendation 13 of the Education Select
Committee report on tackling disadvantage in the early years, published on 4 April
2019, we are clear that children’s centres have an important role to play in achieving
my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s social mobility ambition,
but it is right for local authorities to decide how to use them as part of the wider
system of local services. The government response can be accessed here: <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/Education/Correspondence/Government-response-to-committee-9th-report-tackling-disadvantage-in-the-early-years-CP-68.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/Education/Correspondence/Government-response-to-committee-9th-report-tackling-disadvantage-in-the-early-years-CP-68.pdf</a>,
the select committee report can be accessed here: <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmeduc/1006/1006.pdf"
target="_blank">https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmeduc/1006/1006.pdf</a>.</p><p>The
government’s role is to engage with the sector, find out what works and support local
areas to make the right decisions for their communities, which is why we have commissioned
the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) to examine research and practice evidence
with the aim of developing tools to help local authorities make informed choices about
their children’s centre provision. The EIF project is part of the Department for Education’s
£8.5 million local government programme, which will inform the next steps, including
considering any future consultation, on children’s centres. Funding for the local
government programme runs until March 2020, with evidence and learning emerging by
its conclusion.</p><p> </p>
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