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PRIVACY

Council spending on children's services 'has plummeted by £1billion' warns Labour

Labour analysis shows net spending on the services fell from £7.9bn in 2012 to £7.6bn in 2017 - a real-terms cut of £950m

The figures were released as Jeremy Corbyn and shadow education secretary Angela Rayner visited Swindon today(PA)

Council spending on services for children and young people in England has fallen in real terms by almost £1 billion since 2012, Labour has claimed.

The party released analysis suggesting that net expenditure on the services fell from £7.9 billion in 2012 to £7.6 billion last year.

This cash decline of around £300,000 equates to a cut of more than £950 million when inflation is taken into account, according to Labour's calculations.

The figures were released as Jeremy Corbyn and shadow education secretary Angela Rayner visited Swindon today to highlight the closure of all Sure Start centres in the town.

The pair are also launching a roadshow to consult on Labour's proposals for a National Education Service.

The pair are also launching a roadshow to consult on Labour's proposals for a National Education Service(PA)

Ms Rayner 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 are 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."

Ms Rayner said: "It is incredibly worrying to see funding has fallen so dramatically"(PA)

The Local Government Association said in January that a child was referred to local authority children's services every 49 seconds in 2017.