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One third of Sure Start children’s centres have closed under the Tories, Labour claimed today.

David Cameron promised the party would be “the most family friendly Government we’ve ever had in this country” and pledged to “back Sure Start” ahead of the 2010 election.

But there are now 1,240 fewer designated Sure Start centres than when Cameron took office - a fall of 34 % - according to figures obtained by the party in a Freedom of Information request.

The North East and London have seen the biggest fall in numbers, with over 40% of centres closing.

Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner said: “The Tories claim they’re protecting Sure Start, but they’re not. They use tricky accounting methods - like pointing to buildings which are still open but which are running much reduced services – to try to pull the wool over people’s eyes. But the facts speak for themselves. On the same measure that was used in 2010, Sure Start has been slashed.

“There are a third fewer designated centres than there were when the Tories came to office. We know that because we asked local authorities, those tasked with running these vital services, and that’s what they told us.

“The Tories are taking us backwards. It’s a scandal that parents and children are paying the price.”

But a Department for Education spokesperson said Labour’s figures were “misleading.”

He said: “They fail to account for children’s centres which are still offering vital services, but have been merged with other centres in the area to increase efficiency.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

"If a council decides to close a children’s centre site, they must demonstrate that local children and families would not be adversely affected and local areas continue to have sufficient children’s centres to meet their needs.

"We are determined to ensure children get the best start in life and to help working families with the cost of childcare. That is why we are investing a record £6bn in childcare per year by 2020, which includes extra support for disadvantaged families."