The last Labour government implemented a programme to try to
ensure that every child gets the best start in life. More than 3,600 Sure
Start Children’s Centres were developed offering permanent universal
provision in every area in the country. Nearly 3 million young children and
their families currently use these Centres, which include integrated early
education and childcare, child and family health and support services, and
links to employment services such as Jobcentre Plus and training providers.
Before the last general election, serious questions were
raised about the political parties’ commitments to the Sure Start
programme.
When challenged, David Cameron, Conservative Party Leader
and now Prime Minister, said he was affronted that it was being suggested that
the Conservatives didn’t support Sure Start and said “I want not just to
repeat our commitment to keep Sure Start, but to set out how we will improve
Sure Start.”
Liberal Democrat Leader, and now Deputy Prime Minister, Nick
Clegg said: “Sure Start is a really important programme that has made a real
difference to millions of parents. Difficult decisions are going to have to be
made in public spending, but Sure Start is one of the best things the last
government has done and I want all these centres to stay open.”
Last month, the House of Commons Library confirmed that,
since 2010, the Early Intervention Grant, which supports the funding of Sure
Start had been cut by more than 40%. The cuts for each council range from
33% to 48%.
Councils with the highest levels of deprivation have already
suffered the biggest cuts, and will suffer even bigger cuts over the next 3
years. Locally, the Early Intervention Grant allocation cuts between 2010/11
and 2013/14 are Barnsley – 45.6%, Doncaster - 46%, Rotherham - 46.4%, Sheffield
-45.6%, Nottinghamshire – 42.8%, Derbyshire – 38.3%.
As a result, more than 400 Sure Start centres have
already closed. Many more face closure or being required to make significant
cuts in provision over the next year. 55% of centres already report that they
have stopped providing on-site daycare.
When the coalition government is cutting Sure Start –
in direct contradiction to the promises made – at the same time as it is giving
millionaires a £100,000 tax cut, it is difficult to believe that it has its
priorities right.
