16th February 2010

MP BACKS CAMPAIGN TO ‘SHOUT OUT FOR A SURE START’

Labour MP Alan Keen has this week given his backing to a new campaign in support of Sure Start Children’s Centres, which provide universal services for all families and children under five.

The ‘Shout out for a Sure Start’ campaign was launched this week by the charity 4Children and the popular children’s TV character Peppa Pig. The campaign has the support of children’s charities, trade unions and the Children’s Secretary Ed Balls and parents can find out more by visiting the new website at www.shoutoutforasurestart.org.uk

Alan Keen, Labour MP for Feltham and Heston, said:

“Parents across Feltham and Heston tell me all the time how much they value their local Sure Start Children’s Centres, the services on offer and the help and support at hand. Most parents I talk to can’t imagine what it would be like if their local Children’s Centre was not there.

“That’s why I’m backing this campaign to shout out for Sure Start and promote the universal services on offer for families across Feltham and Heston like childcare and healthcare.

“Back in 1997 there were no Children’s Centres but thanks to investment from the Labour government there are now 14 across Hounslow, offering services to 11,635 children under 5 and their families.

“The Labour Government has said it will keep investing in Sure Start because the early years of a child’s life are so important. But I know local families will be worried about Conservative plans to cut £200 million each from the Sure Start budget. This is the equivalent of one in five Children’s Centres – 3 of the 14 centres in our area – having to close their doors.

“David Cameron also says the Tories would take Sure Start away from families on modest and middle incomes and focus it on the poorest families instead. But I think that would be a big step backwards. Sure Start makes a difference to hundreds of families across Feltham and Heston. It should be open to all parents and children, not just a few. That’s why I’m going to keep shouting out for Sure Start and urge local parents to back the campaign too.”

For a list of local Children’s Centres please got to: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/earlyyears/surestart/fundedsettings/childrenscentresmap/