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Funding children’s services

Matt Dunkley, Chair of the ADCS Resources & Sustainability Policy Committee, said:

“This analysis by colleagues in the north east sets out in clear terms the position we are in. Local government funding has fallen by half over the last decade yet more and more people both young and old need our help, support and protection. We are absolutely committed to keeping children and young people safe from harm and bridging the gap between the funding received from central government. The costs of delivering these critical services locally is increasingly being met from reserves or by diverting money away from other valued services, such as children’s centres, youth services and libraries, which form part of a vital safety net. It’s a vicious circle.

“That local authorities up and down the country are overspending on children’s services, including social care and special educational needs services, should be ringing alarm bells in Whitehall. We urgently need an equitable, sustainable funding strategy for children’s services and indeed all of local government, not more small, time limited pots of funding or one-off injections of cash. Failure to invest in children’s futures is a false economy and is only storing up greater human and financial costs. It’s time for change, starting with the forthcoming budget.”

ENDS


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FUNDING 286 RSPC 64

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