09 January 2007.

MP DRAWS ATTENTION TO NEW TREASURY REVIEW OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney is urging constituents to respond to a new Treasury review of funding for children and young people’s services. The review, disclosed in a Written Statement to the House of Commons today, will directly influence this year’s Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review. David Kidney says it will affect the funding available for these services for years ahead:
“This review is not a formal consultation, the Treasury issued a Call for Evidence last year and received a wide range of responses. But the review team continues to welcome feedback and I want those with an interest in services for children and young people to speak up now.
“The new publication homes in on three specific questions;
 What strategy should be adopted over the next ten years to deliver a step change in youth services and support for young people;
 How services for families and children at risk of becoming locked in a cycle of low achievement, high harm and high cost can be reformed to deliver better outcomes; and
 How services can provide greater support to families with disabled children to improve their life chances.
“I can see from my own casework that these are hot topics in Stafford constituency right now. From the need for more youth facilities in places like Doxey, the lack of funding for Home Start, the threatened closure of New Burton House and my support for fund-raising for groups like Jigsaw all show clearly that we have a lot to contribute to this review. I shall certainly be feeding in my own views – and I invite others to do the same”.
Editor’s Note:     “Policy review of children and young people: A discussion paper” can
                            be found on the Treasury website at hm-treasury.gov.uk.