The Government has announced a £8.5m programme to help councils work together to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children.

The new Early Years Social Mobility Peer Review Programme, in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA), will help councils close the so-called ‘word gap’ between disadvantaged children and their peers.

The multi-million pound programme will enable local authorities to fund projects to improve early language and literacy development for disadvantaged children.

Cllr Roy Perry, vice chairman of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: ‘We are very pleased that the Government has announced funding for a new LGA peer review programme of sector-led support which will share and promote good practice and knowledge across councils.

‘Councils are absolutely determined to make sure that children get the best start in life. This is why we need to close ‘the word gap’ in the early years, by focussing on key early language and literacy skills, so that all children can begin school ready to thrive.’