I have written before, about Labour falsehoods about Conservative spending plans, and also their own planned cuts to public services. One matter that has really angered me, is that the Labour MP for Harlow, has put it about, that Conservatives will scrap Sure Start in Harlow. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Labour have accused the Conservatives of planning to cut £200 million from the Sure Start budget – almost 20 per cent – which, they claim is the equivalent of closing one in five children’s centres. This is an outrageous claim, and one which is designed to put fear into the local community about the future of Sure Start.
The facts are as follows: Conservatives fully support Sure Start. In fact we want to boost the Sure Start programme by making it work better by becoming more health-led. Despite the importance of a child’s early years, Labour have cut the number of properly-trained health visitors by 2,000. For this reason, Conservative plans also will pay for 4,200 new, trained health visitors. This will give parents much better support in the crucial early years of their child’s life.
I have no problem with a serious debate about levels of public spending and taxation - particularly given the huge level of debts we now face. But, this won't be achieved if Labour just try to promote a climate of fear about threats to local services, not least because their own budget plans threaten vital public facilities. Time for some more honesty, please.
The facts are as follows: Conservatives fully support Sure Start. In fact we want to boost the Sure Start programme by making it work better by becoming more health-led. Despite the importance of a child’s early years, Labour have cut the number of properly-trained health visitors by 2,000. For this reason, Conservative plans also will pay for 4,200 new, trained health visitors. This will give parents much better support in the crucial early years of their child’s life.
I have no problem with a serious debate about levels of public spending and taxation - particularly given the huge level of debts we now face. But, this won't be achieved if Labour just try to promote a climate of fear about threats to local services, not least because their own budget plans threaten vital public facilities. Time for some more honesty, please.
P.S. In future blog postings, I will highlight other Labour party falsehoods about Conservative spending plans.
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