Hull loses £70 funding for every child

The funding for services like Sure Start and childcare in Hull is being slashed by £70 per child next year, new figures have revealed.

Meanwhile, Kingston upon Thames in Surrey is to lose £30 per child.

Hull North MP Diana Johnson said: "The Prime Minister made a personal promise to protect and build on Sure Start. Now we know that these were just hollow words and yet another broken promise to Hull families.

"Even worse, this is yet another unfair Con Dem cut that is aimed most at the poorest areas. While Kingston upon Hull loses £70 per child in funding, Kingston upon Thames loses £30 per child.

"Children's centres provide real help to thousands of children and parents across Hull. Of course all services need to be more efficient, but cuts that go too far and too fast could mean poorer services for children and families in Hull - and maybe even a loss of some Sure Start Centres.

"Before the election David Cameron accused Labour of scaremongering when we pointed out that his plans would damage Sure Start. Now this Tory-led Government is imposing cuts on councils that will damage these services where they're needed most."

The House of Commons Library was asked how much funding would be available next year per child from the Early Intervention Grant, compared to the funding available this year.

Their figures showed:

On average across England, there will be central government funding cuts of £50 per child for 'early intervention' services like Sure Start and childcare

In some of the poorest areas including Hackney, Islington, Tower Hamlets and Knowsley, the cuts are at least £100 per child

In some wealthier areas including Richmond, Buckinghamshire, Wokingham and Surrey, the cuts will be £30 per child

Overall, funding for 'early intervention' services will be down by 22% next year

Labour's Shadow Education Secretary Andy Burnham MP said: "The areas being hit hardest are the most deprived it's not only unfair, it's the wrong long-term decision for the country. By cutting too far and too fast and asking children and families to bear the brunt, this Tory-led Government is showing that they have no idea what pressure ordinary families are under.

"Early Intervention services like Sure Start Children's Centres work with families to improve health, education and life chances. These services will be lost for years and this country will pay the price in terms of unfulfilled potential, poorer economic growth and halting social mobility for generations."

Ends