One in six children鈥檚 centres has closed since 2010
By Rachel Lawler
One in six children鈥檚 centres has closed since 2010, according to figures released by the government this weekend.
The figures were released in response to a from Labour MP Chris Ruane.
One in six centres closed
Michelle Donelan, who is covering Kemi Badenoch鈥檚 maternity leave, answered the question, revealing that the total number of children鈥檚 centres has decreased from 3,620 in 2010 to 3,050 in 2019.
Funding cuts
Last year, statistics showed that government spending on Sure Start children鈥檚 centres fell by 拢100 million between 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Earlier this year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies called on the government to 鈥渞einvest鈥 in children鈥檚 centres as its research found that they had a 鈥渂ig positive effect鈥 on children鈥檚 health.
"Incredibly concerning"
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the 无码天堂 commented: 鈥淚t is incredibly concerning to see that so many children鈥檚 centres have closed over the past nine years.
鈥淐hildren鈥檚 centres play a crucial role in supporting children and families - and particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds - and yet, for many years now, the government has failed to develop any clear strategy or policy on these vital services.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 more, given that many centres still technically operating have been all but hollowed out, the reality on the ground is actually a lot worse than these figures suggest.
鈥淎t a time when there is so much talk of improving social mobility, it beggars belief that such a vital source of help and support for vulnerable families has effectively been abandoned.
鈥淎head of the upcoming election, we call on all political parties to commit to making a substantial investment into children鈥檚 centres, and to ensuring that those families that need it most have access to the early support services that they need.鈥
Find out more
Government risks Sure Start success, according to IFS report
Sure Start funding cut 拢100 million since 2017