Eastwood MP calls on Government to rebuild family services in Broxtowe
Eastwood MP Juliet Campbell has called on the Labour Government to rebuild community services in Broxtowe, following what she described as the Conservatives’ ‘decimation’ of support available to families.
Ms Campbell (Lab) said Sure Start services were a ‘proud legacy of the last Labour Government’, revolutionising family and community services, with research showing that children who lived within a short distance of a Sure Start centre for their first five years were 0.9 percentage points more likely to achieve five good GCSEs at grades age 16.
Now, Ms Campbell is calling for a return to that support for Broxtowe residents.
She said: “Postcodes shouldn’t dictate the support available, but under the system left behind by the Conservatives, one in four families with children under five cannot access local children’s centres or family hubs, rising to one in three lower income families.
"This means thousands of parents cut off from vital community support networks and specialist services – left to navigate the challenges of parenthood alone – as well as a devastating impact on children’s life chances, with early development, wellbeing and future attainment all in jeopardy.
“When I worked in the NHS I saw firsthand how valuable Sure Start services were to so many families, offering information, support, advice and guidance on everything from pregnancy, early health, parenting skills, education and childcare support through to starting school.
The Conservatives’ cuts to these services was devastating to so many families, with many left without access to vital support.
I am calling on the Labour Government to rebuild those services here in Broxtowe so that families can once again benefit from that essential support.
“This Government is committed to breaking down the barriers to opportunity and I am determined to see every child in Broxtowe be given the best start in life.”