In response to the New TaxPayers’ Alliance and the Institute of Directors Joint Report “How to Save £50bn”, Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children said: “Proposals to abolish Sure Start, the Child Trust Fund and Child Benefit are foolhardy and will simply increase demands on public spending in the future. Investing in children and families now reduces social exclusion, crime, worklessness in the future – cutting the cost of social failure down the line.

“Due to its relative infancy we are only just beginning to see formal evidence of the beneficial impact of the 3,000 Sure Start children’s centres and the next few years will be vital in building on these strong foundations for the future. But parents are very clear that Sure Start provides real support and in some cases is literally changing lives.

“Sweden and other countries cited as exemplars are reaping the benefits of 40 years of investment and commitment to the early years. Many of the changes in the UK are at a much earlier stage and the rewards of this investment will become evident in years to come”

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Notes to Editors
For further information or to arrange an interview with a 4Children spokesperson, please contact Julie Evans on 0207 522 6928 / 0791 787 0641 or email Julie.Evans@4Children.org.uk

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