Nick Clegg announces a fair start for children

In his speech today at a school in Chesterfield on a Fairness Premium, Lib Dem Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "The Liberal Democrat purpose in Government is to make Britain a better, fairer nation. And ahead of next week's comprehensive spending review, today we set out our plans for a four-year, £7 billion investment in improving opportunities for the most disadvantaged kids in this country.

"Every disadvantaged two year-old will be entitled to 15 hours free early education - in addition to the existing entitlements at the ages of three and four. Every poor school child will get additional help from a Pupil Premium paid to their school. Every young adult who wants to go to university will be able to do so, undeterred by financial barriers.

"By the end of the spending review period, we will be investing £3 billion a year on this Fairness Premium - including £2.5 billion on the pupil premium alone,

£300 million on the extra help for two year-olds and £150 million on the university fairness scheme. From next year, we will he helping poorer children from two to twenty: from a child's first shoes to a young adult's first suit."

Look in our resources area for full details of Nick Clegg's speech darwenlibdems.org.uk/resources/index/