SIR PAUL ENNALS: CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW
The spending review was not the Armageddon some had been preparing for. Department for Education ministers have done better than they had expected. But times still look tough.
The freezing of Sure Start budgets for four years will mean at least 13 per cent cuts in real terms by 2014/15. While this should be enough to keep most existing children's centres, there will be reductions. Cuts to working families tax credit puts the financing of many childcare services at risk.
Mainstream youth services seem at enormous risk. At a time of rapidly increasing youth unemployment, the reductions in educational maintenance allowances, coupled with cuts to further education funding, are worrying for young people. Family support services including play, might have to rely on the new early intervention grant. Details remain thin but a cumulative figure of £2bn by 2014 is better than a slap in the face.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
