Labour shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt defends children's centre cuts in Redbridge

Tristram Hunt made the statement during his visit this morning to privately-run KidsOwn Nursery, in Maybank Road, Woodford Green.

Labour is pledging to increase free childcare from 15 to 25 hours a week for working parents of three and four-year-olds and ensure all primary schools guaranteed access to “wraparound childcare” from 8am to 6pm.

Despite this, earlier this year Labour's Redbridge council implemented a controversial budget plan to cut the number of fully operational children’s centres it runs in the borough from 15 to eight in a “hub” and “spoke” reorganisation to save £1m.

Mr Hunt said: “Despite cuts and about 50 per cent of Sure Start children’s centres closing across the country, this Labour council has kept all nurseries in Redbridge open.

“Labour will use the NHS more effectively so local councils can use the public health budget to ensure we can protect breakfast and after-school clubs to help working families.”

Deputy leader of Redbridge council Cllr Wes Streeting, called the cuts to nursery services an “unhappy compromise.”

He said: “We have managed to keep all children’s centres open despite significant funding cuts from central government.

"This reorganisation is the best way we could achieve that, but local nurseries need to be protected with targeted provision.”

Tanya Gaylor, manager at KidsOwn which was founded last May, said parents would welcome the plans to extend free childcare and provide access to schools from 8am to 6pm.

She said: “As a working mum-of-three I have experience of how every morning can be a horrendous nightmare getting children to school and nursery.

“In the evenings too it is important after-school clubs are available because then parents know they have done their homework and had a proper meal."

Cllr Wes Streeting, deputy leader of Redbridge council, and Labour Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt.