Big fall in support for struggling families in England, charity says

Family hubs are rooted in Labour’s Sure Start programme, which began in the 1990s, and help families before they reach crisis point. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Community support for struggling families in England has declined significantly over the past 15 years, with data revealing that the availability of specialist children’s services has plummeted by over a third.

The number of family hubs and children’s centres in England has reduced by more than a third since 2009, while spending on centres was cut by almost £1.4bn between 2010/11 and 2023/24, according to freedom of information data compiled from 108 local authorities by the charity Barnardo’s. Access varies according to region in a “postcode lottery of support”, the charity said.