Kennedy: Investment needed in early years education
Charles Kennedy has said that the Liberal Democrats would scrap plans for Child Trust Funds, and invest the money in early years education instead.
The Liberal Democrat leader argued that investing the money then would have a real impact on children’s future chances and prospects.
Mr Kennedy said the Lib Dems would use the cash to reduce class sizes to 20 at five to seven-year-old level.
The Chancellor officially launched Child Trust Funds earlier this week. This will see all children being given £250 upon birth for investment, with an extra £250 for children born to the poorest families. Friends and family could then top this amount up, with the money becoming available to a child at 18.
Gordon Brown said he believes the plan will help even out asset inequality and provide all children with a stake in the future.
But, speaking at an early years centre in Islington on Thursday, Mr Kennedy said that tough choices had to be made on government spending.
He argued: “If we are serious about putting our children first; if we are serious about improving nursery and early years education; if we are serious about investing in the fantastic work of early years centres; then we must be prepared to make tough choices when it comes to the allocation of Government funds.
“Tough choices mean looking carefully at the money being spent on our children and choosing to spend it more effectively, rather than wasting it. As a society, Britain cannot afford to postpone investing in our children.”
On Child Trust Funds, he said: “The Government is set to spend around a quarter of a billion pounds of taxpayer’s money every year in support of this scheme. Superficially it may sound attractive but ask yourself what would you have done if you had been handed £500 by the state at the age of 18? Would you consider this to be a good use of taxpayer’s money?
“Fewer than half of 18-year olds are in education or training. For them the Child Trust Fund may mean some cash in their pockets, but they will still have missed out on the chance of a life changing education. For those who choose to go to university it is a particularly hollow gesture as the Government will give them a few hundred pounds in cash and at the same time a mortgage-style bill in tuition fees. Expert opinion and common sense agree that children well taught and well cared-for in their early years have a far better chance of living fulfilled and rewarding lives.”
As such, he called for the money to be invested now in early years education.
