CYP Now - Family hubs a ‘pale imitation’ of Sure Start Centres, Labour says

Labour’s shadow minister for children and early years has branded plans for family hubs across the UK as a “pale imitation” of Sure Start centres.

Helen Hayes was appointed shadow children and early years minister in December. Picture: Parliament UK

At the most recent Spending Review, the government announced £82m to establish family hubs in 75 local authorities over the next three years.

The funding is in addition to the £34m announced earlier to set up hubs in 12 pilot areas, create a national centre to co-ordinate practice and develop approaches to digital support.

Speaking to CYP Now, Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, said the plans appeared to be the “government’s admission that closing more than 1,000 Sure Start centres up and down the country has been a complete disaster”.

Sure Start was launched by Labour 1998 as a programme targeted at parents and children under the age of four living in the most disadvantaged areas.

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