Council cuts 'shutting down Sure Start children's centres'

Published by Ross Macmillan for 24dash.com in Local Government and also in Communities

Sure Start children's centres are being starved of cash and forced to close across Britain because of Government cuts, Labour said today.

Shadow education secretary Andy Burnham said the coalition's slashed funding to councils was leading to centres shutting up and down the country.

He told MPs: "Sure Start is being starved, it's shrinking. Coalition policy is turning a much-loved, universal service into a patchy, postcode lottery, breaking the Prime Minister's promises to parents.

"It's becoming increasingly clear Sure Start will not survive if this removal of the ring-fence continues."

Speaking in the run up to last May's General Election, David Cameron pledged to protect Sure Start centres which were launched by the previous Labour government.

But some local authorities, run by parties of all persuasions, have decided to cut Sure Start funding, blaming lower grants from Westminster.

Mr Burnham said he was "terrified" of the affect on children of closing the centres.

He added: "Children and young people deserve a lot better than this. Labour will stand up for young people. We will give them all a fair start in life. We will be their voice in tough times."

Mr Burnham urged Education Secretary Michal Gove to make "another u-turn" and ring-fence Sure Start funding, meaning councils could not spend the cash elsewhere.

Opening an opposition day debate in the Commons, Mr Burnham said evidence showed that the country's 3,600 Sure Start centres supported families from different social backgrounds.

"It brings together parents of all backgrounds who may not know each other before and, rather than only provide State support, by bringing them together it helps them create those self-sustaining support networks in the community,"" said Mr Burnham.

He accused the Conservatives of breaking pre-election promises to voters, saying they built "a clear expectation among parents" that Sure Start would be protected.

"I wonder how the Prime Minister feels today when it turns out those things he described as really mattering are under serious threat," said Mr Burnham.

"Evidence is emerging of widespread disinvestment in Sure Start centres by local authorities, significantly challenging the deliverability of the vision set out."

Putting forward Labour's motion, he demanded the coalition guarantee the centres' futures.

He added: "The Government must urgently consider what is happening on the ground. The Government should change course to preserve the network of children's centres and services.

"Children's centres are closing right here, right now. Highly trained staff are being made redundant. Some children's centres are keeping the lights on but no more than that."

Mr Gove insisted that responsible councils were acting to protect Sure Start centres and "the money is there" to do so, despite the financial pressures facing the Government.

He said: "Independent witnesses say the money is there. Well-run local authorities all over the country represented by councillors of different parties are maintaining that network."

Mr Gove said "every single plank" of Mr Burnham's argument was "collapsing beneath him".

He added: "In just a few days' time when people think about how to cast their vote I hope that people will reflect on which parties are acting responsibly in dealing with the national crisis and which parties prefer posturing, irresponsibility and the emptiness of eternal opposition."

Mr Burnham asked whether Mr Gove saw the future of Sure Start as a universal service or one targeted at the poorest.

Mr Gove said: "I envisage Sure Start as a universal service ... I believe that it is a universal service but I also believe that it is important to recognise that there are children in greater need on whom we should target a greater level of resource."

Liberal Democrat Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) said he welcomed the Government's commitment to early years education.

He said the coalition Government would continue "whatever the result" of next week's referendum on the Alternative Voting system.

Mr Rogerson added: "The key point which I wish to make today is that we are in difficult financial circumstances where, yes, the money which is going to local government is having to be restricted and efficiencies are having to be made.

"But we return again to this pot of fairy gold which seems to exist in the minds of members of the Opposition, that were they to be in charge all the financial problems would be solved."