A report by Oxford University academics has revealed that closures of Sure Start children’s centres are actually DOUBLE the number recorded in ‘official’ government statistics – meaning up to 1,000 could have closed in the last eight years.

Despite the existence of a national database, the government isn’t bothering to record all closures. How very convenient! The report, commissioned by social mobility charity the Sutton Trust, states:

“The national database recorded a 14% drop in centre numbers between 2009 and October 2017. However, there is no clear definition of a ‘children’s centre’ and therefore many closures announced locally were not yet reflected in the database”

No prizes for guessing why:

“Financial pressures came top in 84% of local authorities as a principal driver of change in recent years.”

Meanwhile 160,000 children are set to see their free school meals cut.

Welcome to Tory Britain, kids!