THE Sure Start programme has had major health benefits for children in poorer neighbourhoods across East Lancashire, new research has shown.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies found the Sure Start programme helped significantly reduce hospitalisations among children by the time they finish primary school. But local government bosses are warning the positive impact on children could be lost if the government does not invest in services for youngsters.

At its peak in 2009–10, Sure Start accounted for £1.8 billion of public spending, about a third of overall spending on programmes for the under-5s.

But in the decade since, the picture has been one of funding cuts, consolidation and centre closures, with funding falling by two-thirds to £600 million in 2017–18.

Blackburn with Darwen Council provides a range of services and activities to support children under five, parents and carers and prospective parents.

There are eight children’s centres in Blackburn with Darwen which act as a network of support.

Most centres offer high quality childcare for babies and children up the age of five, and flexible free entitlement for three and four-year-olds.

More widely across East Lancashire, it was announced last month hubs delivering early-years help for children and families are to be scrapped at four more locations in Burnley, Ribble Valley and Pendle.

Support for vulnerable youngsters would cease to be delivered later this summer from the current base at Walton Lane Nursery in Nelson despite a campaign to save it.

Similar children and family well-being service provision will also be axed at Clitheroe’s Ribblesdale Children’s Centre, Burnley’s Stoneyholme and Daneshouse Young People’s Centre and Padiham Young People’s Centre. But Lancashire County Council’s cabinet decided to retain the service at The Zone in Nelson, The Zone on Clitheroe, The Chai Centre in Burnley, and the Whitegate Children’s Centre in Padiham.

Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, said: “As this report shows, children’s centres can provide a lifeline for children, parents and carers, offering an incredibly important service in the local community.

“This could be anything from advice for parents on physical and mental health, caring for a new-born, or simply a place for children to enjoy free-play and interact with one another.

“While many councils have adapted well to the funding pressures and changed how they provide children’s centre services, in particular to target those communities most in need of support, there is a growing sense that councils have done all they can within ever tightening budgets.

“It is inevitable that without new investment from government in children’s services, councils will face the difficult but unavoidable decision of having to cut or close early help services such as children’s centres.”