Oral Answers to Questions — Education – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 11 October 2010.
Simon Kirby
Conservative, Brighton, Kemptown
2:30,
11 October 2010
What progress has been made on his Department's plans to help families with multiple problems.
Tim Loughton
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
The Government are committed to a new approach to supporting families with multiple problems. My officials are working with the Association of Directors of Children's Services and voluntary organisations to encourage local innovation to tackle barriers. Since April, family interventions have supported 4,725 families with multiple problems, already exceeding the 3,518 supported in the whole of last year. Ninety-three per cent. of families completed or are still receiving support, and no fewer than 79% left with successful outcomes.
Simon Kirby
Conservative, Brighton, Kemptown
I am sure the Minister remembers visiting Whitehawk primary school in my Constituency. With reference to families with multiple problems, does he agree that dealing with these complex issues early can often save the state money in the long run?
Tim Loughton
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
My hon. Friend makes a good point. I well remember my visit to Whitehawk primary school, which has done a fantastic job in joining up support services for many of the families living in the deprived area around that part of Brighton. Independent evaluations show the considerable savings of such Intervention programmes, which can cost on average from £8,000 to £20,000 per family, but which save around £50,000 per family and much more for those with particularly challenging problems.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
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