Latest analysis reveals there has been a significant fall in the number of children using children's centres over the past four years, with the deepest reductions concentrated in the most deprived areas.
According to data collected by local authorities and provided to charity Action for Children, 1.8 million children attended sessions run at children's centres in 2017/18 - 18 per cent fewer than the 2.2 million that used them in 2014/15.
Experts say the findings reveal how cuts to council spending on childcare and early help services in recent years have impacted on families' ability to access provision and reinforces campaigners' calls for the government to provide additional funding to maintain the remaining centres.
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