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CHILDREN and teenagers have been left at risk of violence and crime after the government cut billions from preventive measures funding, charities warned yesterday.
A fund to help local authorities intervene in vulnerable young people’s lives was slashed in half between 2010 and 2015.
“Early intervention and help for children of all ages improves their lives, stops damage, and prevents more costly remedial solutions in the subsequent few years,” said Children’s Society chief executive Matthew Reed.
Finance for a wide range of early help across social care, welfare and children’s services fell from £3.2 billion to £1.4bn under the coalition government.
A report by the National Children’s Bureau, Children & Young People Now and the Children’s Society found that councils’ funds to keep children’s centres and support services going had fallen by more than £700 million a year.
It is expected that in the coming 12 months over 57 per cent of Sure Start children’s centres will have their budgets cut and 112 are bound to shut down.
