Ian McCartney MP

Local Labour MP Ian McCartney today warned that Conservative Party plans to cut £200 million each year from the Sure Start budget could see three Children’s Centres in Wigan forced to close their doors.

There are currently seventeen Children’s Centres in the borough. But the £200 million cut proposed by David Cameron’s Conservatives means cutting almost 20 per cent of the Sure Start budget – the equivalent of closing one in five Children’s Centres.

Ian McCartney MP said, “Parents in Wigan regularly tell me how much they value their local Sure Start Children’s Centre and the real help they offer with childcare, healthcare and other services for their children."

“Ten years ago there were no Children’s Centres in our area, but now there are seventeen across the borough. But if the Tories get their way and slash the Sure Start budget by £200 million three of these Children’s Centres would have to close, just at the time when families in our area need them most."

“The Labour Government will keep investing in Sure Start because the early years of a child’s life are so important. I don’t want to put that at risk by letting the Conservatives cut Sure Start. Their risky plans could mean Children’s Centres which local families rely on like the facilities at Platt Bridge and Golborne closing their doors forever.”

To find the names and locations of local Children’s Centres click on the link below: www.surestart.gov.uk/surestartservices/settings/fundedsettings/