In 2010 David Cameron said he wanted his government to “be the most family friendly Government we’ve ever had in this country”. Five years on, he has failed on this central pledge and there is a crisis in childcare. This week, Anne Snelgrove, Labour’s candidate for South Swindon, reveals how Sure Start centres in Swindon have been let down by the Conservative government.
In 2010 David Cameron said he wanted his government to “be the most family friendly Government we’ve ever had in this country”. Five years on, he has failed on this central pledge and there is a crisis in childcare. This week, Anne Snelgrove, Labour’s candidate for South Swindon, reveals how Sure Start centres in Swindon have been let down by the Conservative government.
Having promised to protect our Sure Start centres, David Cameron has taken them to the point of no return.
Labour’s research shows that the overall impact of the Government’s tax and benefits policies since May 2010 means that households are on average £1,127 worse off. Families with children have seen their incomes fall twice as far as the average. Working lone parents are £1,600 worse off a year as a result of changes to tax and benefits. One earner couples with children have lost out by £1,950 a year.
There are now 720 fewer Sure Start centres across England than in 2010, and across the country Sure Start centres have been cut by £324 million. This follows a campaign run by Anne Snelgrove last year to prevent several Sure Start centres being closed by the local council.
Anne Snelgrove, Labour’s candidate for South Swindon, said: “Having promised to protect our Sure Start centres, David Cameron has taken them to the point of no return. There are already now 720 fewer Sure Starts serving local communities since 2010 and many of those that remain open are being forced to cut services and opening times. I’ve spoken to countless local Mums and Dads who were let down and worried about how to cope without their local Sure Start centre.
Five more years of Tory failure would tear apart the support and services families need. Labour will spend every day between now and polling day exposing David Cameron’s broken promise to support families and the childcare crisis that has happened on his watch.”