Under close questioning from Labour opposition leader Steve Cowan, top council official Andrew Christie revealed that the much-reduced service would help only 2,000 of the 13,100 children it currently supports. That's a cut in numbers of 11,100 or nearly 85%!
Mr Cowan also asked Cllr Helen Binmore, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, who argued strongly for the cuts, to justify her claim that early years services would get "better". She couldn't.
 |
| "Won't resign": Helen Binmore |
Labour Councillor PJ Murphy asked Cllr Binmore whether she would resign if services got worse and a centre closed. She said she didn't expect this to happen.
Sure Start centres give Hammersmith & Fulham children the chance to make friends and learn as they play. They help parents get professional advice on health and family matters, learn about training and jobs or just socialise with other people.
For more than one in six local children and their families, the council has shut the door on these opportunities.
3 comments:
"650%"????
Oops - duly corrected, thanks. Still a shocking cut, don't you think?
I think that some of the young people who are being cast off in this Borough should do a nice 'Andrew Lansley' type rap about all of this...
Post a Comment