Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt’s plans to ‘save Sure Start’ would reverse the coalition Government’s decision in 2010 to remove the requirement for centres in disadvantaged areas to offer childcare.
Mr Hunt, Labour’s shadow education secretary, said, ‘It is a scandal that these brilliant community assets are being mothballed or even closed at a time when parents are crying out for decent childcare in their communities.
‘We will not succeed as country unless we ensure every child has a decent start in life.’
Labour claims that there have been cuts to opening hours, services and staff in children’s centres since 2010. It also calculates that 38,000 more childcare places will be lost before the end of the next Parliament, if they continue to fall at the current rate.
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