News from East Midlands Labour

Minister joins Mums and Dads across the East Midlands to Save Our Sure Start

Campaign takes to the streets and online at www.saveoursurestart.com.

David Cameron’s cuts to Sure Start children’s centres would deal a devastating blow to families in the East Midlands who are on middle and modest incomes – that was the message from Labour’s Regional Minister, Phil Hope MP, as local ‘Save Our Sure Start’ campaigns against Tory plans to take £200 million from Sure Start were launched.

On the same day that Labour announced it has delivered on its pledge to build 3,500 Sure Start centres across England, campaigns across the East Midlands against Conservative plans to cut Sure Start for families on middle and modest incomes gathered pace with local campaigns and online at www.saveoursurestart.com.

Phil Hope MP, Regional Minister for the East Midlands said:

“There are hundreds of Sure Start centres here in the East Midlands and when I talk to local families, they make it very clear to me just how vital their Sure Start centre is to them. While Labour will guarantee that investment in Sure Start will continue to rise, there is a real risk that centres in the East Midlands, which have become so valuable to the community, would have to close under the Tories.

“That’s why I’m delighted to join families in the East Midlands in the Save Our Sure Start campaign. By taking Sure Start back to a time when it didn’t support families on middle and modest incomes, the Conservatives would return us to the failed old Tory polices of ghettoising support for the most vulnerable people.

“I am proud to fight this election on a commitment to protecting our Sure Start centres. Because a Sure Start centre for all families in the East Midlands, not just a few, is how we will build a future fair for all.”

Other news from East Midlands Labour

• New figures reveal Car Srappage Scheme's success in the East Midlands - 15 January 2010
• It would be great to see "football coming home to Nottingham" - 17 December 2009
• Housing projects in the East Midlands short-listed for welcome cash boost - 16 December 2009