• New analysis by the Labour Party reveals that spending on Children and Young People’s Services has fallen by about £310 million in London since 2012 – a fall of around 19 per cent in real terms.
• The analysis comes on the same day that Angela Rayner MP, Shadow Education Secretary, is expected to launch the National Education Service (NES) Roadshow.

Spending on Children and Young People’s Services in London is now about £310 million less, in real terms, compared to 2012, according to new Labour analysis of Local Authorities planned expenditure.

In 2012 planned net expenditure on Children and Young People’s services in London was £1.53 billion. In 2017 the figure was £1.35 billion. Whilst this is a nominal cut of about £180 million, taking inflation into account it represents a real terms cut of £310 million.

The analysis comes the same day that Angela Rayner MP, Shadow Education Secretary, is launching the National Education Service (NES) Roadshow. The NES roadshow is an England-wide consultation on the NES, Labour’s vision for a unified education service, providing cradle-to-grave learning that is free at the point of use.

Over the next three months the NES roadshow will hold regional meetings in England to consult with members and supporters on the principles of the National Education Service.

Angela Rayner, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, said:

“Children’s services provide a lifeline to thousands of vulnerable children and families across the country, so it is incredibly worrying to see funding has fallen so dramatically in the past six years.

“The contrast between our two parties could not be clearer: today, Labour is launching a roadshow to help improve the lives of our youngest and most vulnerable children, whilst the Tories are presiding over damaging cuts, slashing support for the those that need help the most.

“Only Labour can be trusted to give every child the best start in life. Through our National Education Service we will invest in our children, halting the closures of Sure Start centres, increasing the amount of money available for Children’s Services and providing universal childcare for every 2 to 4 year old.”

Ends

Notes to editors

• Labour analysis has found spending on Children and Young People’s service has fallen in every region since 2012.

Planned LA and School Expenditure, 2017-18 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/planned-la-and-school-expenditure-2017-to-2018-financial-year

Planned LA and School Expenditure, 2012-13

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/planned-expenditure-of-local-authorities-on-education-and-childrens-social-care-functions-section-251-data

GDP deflators – https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/691093/GDP_deflators_Spring_Statement_2018_update.csv/preview

• Labour’s National Education Service Roadshow is a three month consultation on the draft charter of the National Education Service, which was announced at Party Conference last year.
• The National Education Service Roadshow will run from April – June 2018. There will be regional events across England, open to members and supporters. As well sector roundtables chaired by members of the Shadow Education Team. Labour are encouraging anyone who is interested in the NES to submit a response online. The consultation document and further information can be found at labour.org.uk/nesroadshow