David Lepper

Labour Party | Brighton Pavilion

Children’s centres celebration

11 May 2009

David Lepper, Brighton Pavilion Labour and Co-operative MP, has welcomed the announcement that 3,000 Sure Start children’s centres have now been opened across the country.

The announcement means that the Labour government is on track to fulfil its manifesto pledge of 3,500 centres open by next year.

But David Lepper has warned that the £200m cut proposed by David Cameron’s Conservatives means cutting almost 20 per cent of the Sure Start budget – the equivalent of closing one in five children’s centres.

David Lepper said:

“Sure Start children’s centres have transformed the services on offer for children and families in our area. Before the Labour government was elected there were no children’s centres but I’m delighted that across Brighton and Hove there are now are now 14 children’s centres.

“Since the opening of the first Sure Start centre in Hollingdean five years ago parents tell me how much they value their local Sure Start centre and the help they offer with childcare, healthcare and other services for their children. So I want to thank all the Sure Start staff and volunteers in the city who have helped to make them such a success.

“Unfortunately, the Tories want to cut the Sure Start budget by £200 million per year. This is the equivalent of one in five children’s centres in our area – having to close their doors, just at the time when local families need them most. The Labour Government will keep investing in Sure Start because the early years of a child’s life are so important. I don’t want to put that at risk by letting the Conservatives cut Sure Start.”

Labour’s Children’s Secretary Ed Balls added:

“We now have over 3,000 Sure Start children’s centres making a huge difference to parents and children up and down the country. This is a fantastic achievement and I want to thank all the staff and volunteers who have helped make Sure Start such as success in Brighton and Hove.

“By next year there will be 3,500 centres and each one of them will soon be linked to a named health visitor. And while the Tories would cut funding, the Labour government will keep investing in Sure Start to make sure every child gets the best possible start in life.”