Liverpool SureStart isn’t fixed by the LibDems

Laura Robertson-Collins says:

I’m not sure who was the braver – Conservative Minister Nick Gibb for visiting Liverpool headteachers and Children’s Centre at this time, or Lib Dem Cllr Richard Kemp for having his photograph taken with his Tory colleague? (Liverpool SureStart protestors ask minister ‘can you fix it?’, Daily Post, 29th March)

What Liberal Democrat councillor in Liverpool would want to be publicly associated with the Tories they govern with at this time? Most of Cllr Kemp’s Lib Dem colleagues in Liverpool are doing all possible to avoid any public association with their Conservative and Parliamentary Lib Dem colleagues – as if they can pretend they are not connected at all!

The £91million cut from Liverpool City Council’s budget by the Government included the money specifically provided to the city by the previous Labour Government for the Sure Start Children’s Centres.  Additionally the multi-million pound ‘Building Schools for the Future‘ programme was axed by them.  All credit once more to Council Leader Joe Anderson and his team of intelligent senior Labour councillors for seeking ways to continue as many of the services for children as possible in this situation, as well as means to continue to fund our school re- building programme.

Perhaps whilst viewing the work of the children’s centres and the schools in the city Mr Gibb will understand why government funding should be provided for such services?