News Insight: Labour leadership contenders set out their plans for children

31 August 2010 6 mins read Early Years Education Social Care Youth Justice Youth Work

On 25 September, one of these people will become leader of the opposition in the midst of a horrendous economic climate. CYP Now asked each of them to set out their policies for children and young people and for all those who work to improve young lives.

ED BALLS, Shadow Education Secretary, and MP for Morley and Outwood

It was a privilege to be the first Secretary of State for children. I would restore the Department for Children, Schools and Families when we are returned to government because I believe children should be at the heart of government policy. They are the future of our country and investing in them benefits us all.

But the coalition clearly disagrees. They are marginalising children's policy and children are bearing an unfair share of their reckless, premature cuts. Young people are arguably suffering even more, with youth provision slashed, the Future Jobs Fund abolished and vocational learning downgraded. The coalition's top-down approach leaves no room for young people to get involved and make their views heard.

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