'Put children at the heart of recovery' say charities, as PM unveils 'new deal' for economy

In a statement, co-ordinated by Action for Children, Barnardo’s, the National Children’s Bureau, the NSPPC, and The Children’s Society and signed by more than 150 others, the charities call on the prime minister to make children with health and the economy as one of the three pillars of the Government’s coronavirus response.

Other signatories include the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), the Early Years Alliance, Early Education and the Child Poverty Action Group, and Save the Children.

NDNA’s chief Executive Purnima Tanuku, said, ‘It’s clear that our youngest and most vulnerable children are not being prioritised throughout this pandemic which means vast numbers are missing out on their vital education and not socialising with friends.

‘The Government must put all children at the heart of their agenda and invest in their futures.’

Tulip Siddiq MP, Labour’s shadow minister for children and early years, responding to the joint statement, said, 'Children seem to have been an afterthought in the Government’s response to this pandemic. We knew that young people would be among the most vulnerable in lockdown, so their wellbeing should have been one of the top priorities from the start.

'Labour and the children’s sector have warned for months about the need to prepare for an increase in demand for children’s social care and mental health services. Despite these warnings, it’s not clear that ministers have a plan to protect those children who need it most.

'The Government must start prioritising the well-being of children and make sure the services that support them are properly funded.'

Meanwhile, as Boris Johnson unveiled a £5 billion infrastructure plan in Dudley this morning (Tuesday), early years organisations criticised the prime minister for once again ignoring the sector in its funding plans.

The funding will go towards projects like hospital maintenance works, school building and improvements to road and rail networks, with more details announced next week.

‘New deal’

Responding to the prime minister’s announcement of a ‘new deal’ for capital investment in the UK, the Early Years Alliance said, ‘While any investment that helps the country recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is of course positive, it is beyond frustrating to see yet another series of large-scale investments announced by Government at a time when the financial needs of the early years sector continue to be ignored. 

‘With well over a million children normally attending childcare settings, ensuring that we have a functioning, sustainable early years sector is going to be absolutely critical to supporting parents to go back to work - and yet, to date, the Government has refused to commit to the transitional funding the sector desperately needs to make it through this difficult period. 

‘With one in four nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England fearing closure within the year, ministers simply cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this issue any longer. As such, we urge the Government to ensure that when the next round of headline-grabbing spending announcements are made, further investment into the early years sector is front and centre.’

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said, ‘The pandemic has taken a massive toll on the economy and it'll take a lot to get the country back on its feet.

‘Investment in public services is the way forward. These moves are in the right direction but must be far bolder if they’re to do more than patch up the damage from a decade of cuts.
‘The UK can’t build its way out of trouble while local authorities still have to shut local services like parks, libraries and children’s centres. 

‘The pandemic has made huge dents in council finances, and many are teetering on the edge. But their involvement will be key to every stage of any major project.
‘The Covid outbreak has made everyone realise the value of public services. They're at the heart of every community and must be protected and strengthened.’

CHARITIES’ STATEMENT IN FULL

‘The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been widespread, affecting the lives of every baby, child and young person in the country. This generation of children face unprecedented threats to their childhoods and life chances. They deserve an unprecedented response.

‘We call on the prime minister to announce that children will join health and the economy as the three pillars of the government’s coronavirus response.

‘Even before the onset of the crisis, child poverty was rising, school budgets were under pressure, waiting lists for mental health services were unacceptably long, and services supporting families and protecting children from abuse and neglect were at breaking point, stretched by rising need and reduced government funding.

‘Now, they are also a generation over which Covid-19 threatens to cast its shadow for years to come. Our children are in an eerie world, full of uncertainty. They do not know when they can go back to school. They worry about when they can see friends and family. They are anxious about family finances.

‘We know this uncertainty and worry will lead to anxiety and mental health problems. We know closed schools will damage the educational attainment and life chances of children – the poorest, the most. We know Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities will be hit the hardest. We know there is no certainty about when the crisis will end and when we can see loved ones again. We know there is more financial hardship to come.

‘We are calling on the Government to embrace a new vision of childhood to support children, young people and their families to recover from the impact of Covid-19. The voices of children, young people and families must be at the heart of the recovery and rebuild process, and there must be renewed investment in the services and workforce that they rely on.

‘The Budget should be the start of a rescue, recovery and rebuild plan designed to prioritise, support and enable our children to thrive. We need an ambitious, radical plan that will be transformational for the generation of children growing up in today’s modern Britain.

‘That will mean action and investment across Whitehall and in town halls, including: funding for early help services and public health; supporting innovation and integrated working, particularly with charities; dedicated financial support for children; support for early years settings and schools so attainment gains are protected; and unprecedented investment in children’s mental health. This must be accompanied by a commitment to protect children facing additional challenges, like those with disabilities, asylum seekers, abuse victims and those from minority communities.  

‘We will continue to play our part. In the weeks ahead, many of us will share with ministers and officials the key elements needed for such a recovery plan.

The Government, understandably, has so far focused on the immediate health and economic consequences.  

‘It’s now time for the nation to put a strong, protective arm around its children, to stop childhoods being disrupted and life chances being derailed.’