MPs have pledged to support the Save Our Centres campaign launched by The Argus.
This week the newspaper called on Brighton and Hove City Council to reconsider cuts it is proposing for children's centres and related services. 
The council needs to make nearly £800,000 of savings to that part of the 2015/16 budget making four centres at threat. Baby groups could be shut down, staff could be laid off and other care such as health visits could be reduced. 
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "Children's centres are vitally important: they stand at the heart of our local communities and contribute so much to the lives of local families.

"But they’re under attack like never before from the worst programme of Government cuts since the 1930s. Our children didn’t cause the financial crisis and nor should they pay for it - we cannot allow these cuts to compromise their welfare, it’s crucial they get the best possible start to life.

“We all have our part to play in saving these services; in Parliament as in the community I’ll continue to do everything I can to protect them – and I’m delighted The Argus has launched this campaign.

 “It’s fantastic that the city’s Conservative MPs are backing this, and I hope we can work together to take this battle to the Government to stop the cuts.” 

Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown, said: “I am pleased to support The Argus campaign to urge the council to reconsider the proposed changes to children's centres in the city. I know these centres are important to many parents, offering help, advice, activities and a support network. This can be particularly valuable for new parents. While local authorities have to make difficult decisions, I would rather see the council looking to other areas within the council itself to make savings.”
Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove, said: “None of us wants to see any centres closing which is why I am in constant discussion with both my constituents and Conservative council colleagues on the issue - if there is a way around this then we will find it.”


Why we are fighting the cuts
CHILDREN'S centres and related services cost £2,471,000 but Brighton and Hove City Council wants to run them for £1,692,000 in the 2015/16 financial year, to make £779,000 in savings. If the plans are approved, tens of thousands of families will be affected, as well as staff. 
The council is suggesting cutting the number of main centres from 12 to eight, by merging four. The centres at risk are City View, in Elm Grove, Cornerstone, in Church Road, Hollingbury and Patcham, in County Oak Avenue, and West Hove, in Portland Road. City View and Cornerstone could be merged into Tarner Children's Centre in Ivory Place. The Hollingbury and Patcham site could be merged into the Hollingdean centre in Brentwood Road. The West Hove centre could merge into Conway Court in Clarendon Road.
Baby groups which meet in libraries could be shut down, although the libraries are not at risk of closure. Members of staff are under consultation and the equivalent of 11.5 full- time posts could be axed. Funding for voluntary groups, the Early Childhood Project and the Brighton Unemployed Centre, could be halved. Other groups and the number of health visits offered could be cut back, attendance could be restricted with time limits and only by appointment. Families who are not deemed to need extra help will only be able to access the groups for a short period of time. 
The Argus is urging the council to serious re-think the plans and find another alternative. In a series of articles in the coming weeks the newspaper will look into the services provided, how they affect families, and how the cuts could be avoided. 

Save Our Centres - The Argus needs you
1. Complete the Brighton and Hove City Council survey by Monday, February 2, by clicking here
2. Sign the change.org petition 'Stop the proposed cuts to children's services' by clicking here
3. Join parents in a peaceful protest on Thursday, February 26, ahead of Brighton and Hove City Council's budget meeting at 4.30pm where the future of the children's centres and related services will be determined. The meeting takes place in Brighton Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton.
6. Contact senior reporter Flora Thompson at The Argus to express your views on 01273 544539 or email flora.thompson@theargus.co.uk.