Labour warns of real-terms cut of almost £1 billion to children’s services
Local authority spending on services for children and young people in England has fallen in real terms by almost £1 billion since 2012, Labour has claimed.
The party released analysis suggesting that net expenditure on the services fell from £7.9 billion in 2012 to £7.6 billion last year.
This cash decline of around £300,000 equates to a cut of more than £950 million when inflation is taken into account, according to Labour’s calculations.
The figures were released as Jeremy Corbyn and shadow education secretary Angela Rayner visited Swindon to highlight the closure of all Sure Start centres in the town and launch a roadshow to consult on Labour’s proposals for a National Education Service.
Ms Rayner (pictured) said: “Children’s services provide a lifeline to thousands of vulnerable children and families across the country, so it is incredibly worrying to see funding has fallen so dramatically in the past six years.
“The contrast between our two parties could not be clearer: today, Labour are launching a roadshow to help improve the lives of our youngest and most vulnerable children, whilst the Tories are presiding over damaging cuts, slashing support for the those that need help the most.”
The Local Government Association said in January that a child was referred to local authority children’s services every 49 seconds in 2017.
A Department for Education spokesman said: “We want every child to receive high quality care and support.
“Spending on the most vulnerable children has increased by around half a billion pounds since 2010, and overall the Government has made more than £200 billion available for council services up to 2020.
“On top of this we are working with councils to improve services and to share best practice across the country – and just last month the children and families minister announced £17 million to support this.”
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2018, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Gareth Fuller / PA Wire.
