The children's minister has called on councils to promote out-of-hours activities for children. Demands for action by Beverley Hughes came less than a week after an Audit Commission report described the Government's funding of such provision as a ‘dog's breakfast.' Ms Hughes told councils to ‘do more' to develop out-of-hours facilities, following the publication of two reports on ‘extended' services by the Department of Children, Schools and Families. Ms Hughes said: ‘We need schools to show off their hard work and make sure all parents and pupils are aware of the opportunities open to them. The research recognises there is still a way to go before extended services are available everywhere. Schools need to do more to ensure extended services meet the needs of children and families and that they are sustainable.' The reports found more than half of pupils say they need more information about the activities their school offers out of lesson times. Responding to the Audit Commission report, Ms Hughes said: ‘We are already addressing many of those challenges highlighted in the report, including the major concern about places to go for young people.' The Government is aiming for all families to have access to extended services by 2010.