Local Labour MP, Adrian Bailey has spoken in Parliament over his concerns that ‘The Early Intervention Grant’ that funds services like Sure Start and childcare in Sandwell is being slashed by almost 25% in real terms this year. This is despite the Conservative-Led Government promising to protect these services.

 Adrian said:

“The Conservative-Led Government 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 the families of West Bromwich West.

“Of course all services need to look to be more efficient, but cuts which go too far and too fast could mean poorer services for children and families in West Bromwich West, and maybe even a loss of some Sure Start Centres.

“Early Intervention services like Sure Start Children’s Centres work with families to improve health, education and life chances. The reduction in the grant, coupled with the possibility that some local authorities will use it to plug gaps in other services could mean that support for early years children could 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.”