Labour’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity for every child, regardless of background, is hindered by inadequate plans to address the widening attainment gap between children from poorer and more affluent backgrounds. A recent report by the Centre for Young Lives reveals the class-based disadvantage that emerges before children even start school. The evidence underscores the importance of early years support in narrowing the socioeconomic gap that begins before children enter the education system. However, after years of public spending cuts, early years services are in a precarious state, with programs like Sure Start being dismantled and the nursery sector suffering from insufficient funding.
Labour’s current plans to close the attainment gap lack depth and fail to address key issues such as re-establishing a comprehensive Sure Start program and upskilling early years professionals. With child poverty rates on the rise, it is imperative for the government to prioritize investments in closing the attainment gap to avoid long-term consequences for children’s future opportunities. The failure to address these issues is not only an economic concern but also a moral imperative. It is crucial to allocate the necessary resources to bridge the attainment gap and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.
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