In this month's letter, Olivia Bailey, the Labour MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, welcomes the opening of early years education and care hubs in Reading, and measures to crack down on anti-social behaviour. Mrs Bailey writes:
Children in Reading deserve the best start in life – nothing less. That’s why the Labour government is building on the proud legacy of Sure Start with the roll out of our Best Start in Life Hubs this month.
Sure Start was one of the last Labour government’s most successful policies, with over 3,600 centres supporting families at its peak. But from 2010, Conservative governments systematically tore this vital provision away. Funding fell by more than two-thirds, and over 1,300 centres closed, with many more hollowed out or merged.
Earlier this month, I was delighted to be at the opening of one of Reading’s Best Start Hubs in Whitley, one of four at the existing family hub sites across Reading - which the Labour Council continued to run despite Conservative cuts. The Whitley Hub along with the other Best Start Hubs at Ranikhet on the Dee Estate, in Southcote, and at Sun Street in East Reading will provide the services that families want, including brilliant play and stay facilities, health clinics, early years SEND support and parenting advice – helping children get ready for school.
The Conservatives cut Sure Start and failed a generation of young people. Labour is stepping up, investing in families, rebuilding early years support and making sure that every child gets the start in life they deserve.
I know that for many people making ends meet is still a huge concern – particular with the added pressures as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. That’s why we are continuing to deliver real, practical help with the cost of living for people across Reading.
From this month, the price cap on energy will be reduced by seven per cent meaning lower bills for households across Reading. 2.7 million workers will get a pay rise of between £900 and £1,500 because of the increase in the Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. The State Pension rises by 4.8 per cent as a result of our triple-lock guarantee. There is more support for families with the two-child limit scrapped, plus up to 30 hours free childcare – saving up to £8,000. Prescriptions remain under a tenner, and rail fares are frozen, saving commuters up to £340 a year on a season ticket from Reading to London.
Recently, alongside local Labour councillors Glenn Dennis and Mark Keeping, I went out on patrol in Kentwood with the local Neighbourhood Police Sergeant. It was really good to hear about the reduction in dangerous e-bikes on our streets thanks to the hard work of Thames Valley Police.
I am also really pleased that at the end of March, the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) came into force across Reading Borough to help the police and Reading Borough Council tackle antisocial behaviour including, the antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters, aggressive begging, alcohol-related antisocial behaviour, and out of control dogs and dog fouling.
On top of the measures that the government is introducing through the Crime and Policing Bill, these additional powers will help deliver safer streets and open spaces across Reading for everyone to be able to enjoy.
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