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Ed Balls criticises Tory plans to cut universal Sure Start services

Children's secretary Ed Balls has criticised Conservative Party plans for children's centres to serve only the most disadvantaged families.

Mr Balls, who spoke to Nursery World at the launch of a 4Children campaign to celebrate and promote Sure Start’s work among local communities, said, ‘It was never part of the original vision for Sure Start to be only for the poor and I think that it would be a hugely backward step to withdraw universal services.’

Mr Balls acknowledged the need for a greater degree of involvement from health services in children’s centres, saying, ‘It requires a local commitment to make sure that health services are involved. We do need more health visitors, but should these come from the Sure Start budget or from Primary Care Trusts?

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