MORE CASH FOR CHILDREN’S CENTRES  7 August 2007

Labour Candidate for Castle Point, Julian Ware-Lane, has called upon Castle Point council to work with the Government and use all new funding from the government to support those most in need.

Julian said: “We need the council to work with the Government to use this money wisely and to get the best value from public money. The Government has provided the funding, we now need to see our council making sure it is delivered to those who most need it.”

The Government has given both Essex and Southend local authorities over £74 million and £12 million respectively over the next three years for early years and childcare, including over £46 million and £7 million to expand the number of Children’s Centres.

Julian added: “Every 3 and 4 year old is now entitled to a free early years education place for 12.5 hours per week over 38 weeks. By 2010 every child will be entitled to 15 hours per week on the road to a long term goal of 20 hours per week of free early years' provision.”

“We now need to make even more progress so that we have a Children’s Centre in every community by 2010 and extra outreach workers to reach the most disadvantaged children. With this extra funding from the Labour Government, we will be able to make that happen.”

"Labour will continue to improve life for disadvantaged children in England, with a cash injection of more than £4 billion to Children’s Centres, early years' education and childcare."