Disadvantaged children in England are to benefit from high-quality early education, with seven local authorities implementing changes made possible by the allocation of new government funding as of this week.

Over £1 million will been distributed between councils in Blackpool, Bristol, Cambridgeshire, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Hackney and Stoke-on-Trent. This will allow them to implement the early years pupil premium (EYPP) in their respective areas, helping boost standards in education across the board.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said that one of his top priorities in government has been creating a fairer society, one where children from all backgrounds benefit from the best start in life possible.

He elaborated: "This new funding from the early years pupil premium will allow schools and nurseries to give extra help to toddlers from the poorest families so they can develop and learn quickly and prevent them falling behind other children when they start school."

His colleague, childcare minister Sam Gyimah, said that he was "delighted" to see the effects of the extra funding, which is helping disadvantaged children experience the best education possible.

"Good-quality early education should not be denied to anyone," he continued. "Children who get it go on to do better at school and earn higher wages, so the early years pupil premium will be a life-changing injection of money. I would encourage any parent who meets the EYPP criteria to tell a local provider they are eligible."