New research shows that across the country, more than 1,300 Children’s centres, where local families with young children can go to enjoy facilities and receive parenting support, have closed under the Conservatives between 2010 and 2021.
In Liverpool, the Labour council have protected Children’s Centres, none have closed in the city. Recently, Liverpool Labour Group Leader Councillor Liam Robinson visited Picton Children’s Centre. The centre provides a range of support to families in the local area and this year alone has had over 7000 users.
Labour is increasing its focus on developing an ambitious childcare offer to support families from the end of parental leave through to the end of primary school, after the party identified it as a major cause of concern to families in target seats during the cost-of-living crisis.
Labour has unveiled plans to offer breakfast clubs for every primary school child in England at its party conference earlier this year before announcing its intention to remove barriers to councils opening more maintained nurseries, as a first step on the road to delivering this ambition.
Liverpool Labour Group Leader, Liam Robinson said,
“Twelve years of Tory failure has hammered Liverpool, we’ve faced some of the worst cuts. I’m really proud that despite over 60% cuts to Liverpool’s budget, Labour have protected all of our Children’s Centres, right across the city. The facilities and support that Children’s centres provide to children and families is vital.
“With taxes hitting their highest levels in a lifetime, people in our city have had enough of paying more for less. But Labour has a plan to support families with a modern childcare system from parental leave to the end of primary school.”
Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson MP, said:
“This is yet more evidence that the Conservatives have abandoned families.
“Children’s centres are a lifeline for parents across the country but more and more will inevitably face closure because the Conservatives crashed the economy.”