[Sheila Struthers]

Mike Russell recently...

We set out a package of measures to take this forward. One of those elements will be to build on our investments in early years by investing in a Change Fund, part of which will deliver a new generation of family centres [Susan Deacon].

We plan to introduce legislation early on in this Parliamentary term to ensure investment in early years is not an optional extra.

We also intend to go further - to explore legislative options to ensure Getting It Right For Every Child is firmly embedded in the whole of the public sector.

We will be consulting with stakeholders over the summer to define where the legislation can have the most impact and support the positive developments that are happening. We are open to views.

And, because we recognise the importance of the home environment, an early priority will be the development of a national parenting strategy that encourages agencies to work together to support parents.