The number of family hubs and children’s centres in England has reduced by more than a third since 2009, freedom of information (FOI) requests have revealed.
Barnardo’s, which sent the FOI requests to 108 local authorities, also said spending on centres that provide support for families was cut by £1.4bn between 2010/11 and 2023/24.
In a statement, the children’s charity said this reduction in funding had led to a ‘postcode lottery of support’ and urged the Government to commit to the development of a network of 3,500 centres.
Lynn Perry MBE, CEO of Barnardo's, said: ‘Family hubs offer a safe, welcoming space where parents and children can access vital support.’
She added: 'If the Government is serious about its mission to break down barriers for a generation of children, it must use the upcoming child poverty strategy to commit to a network of family hubs for every community.’
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