Children's services are on brink after eight years of austerity - Andrew Gwynne

Andrew Gwynne MP, Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary, commenting on today's Association of Directors of Children's Services' report, said:

"Children's services are on the brink after eight years of austerity, and we need to see urgent action from the Government.

"Year on year cuts have left councils with little option but to close the family support services that are proven to spot and address the signs of neglect before intervention is needed. It is little surprise that we are now seeing more children requiring emergency help.

"This Government has created the largest financial crisis in local government in history. The next Labour government will fix the mess created by the Tories and ensure our councils have sustainable funding."