I am appalled that the Tory Government has cut funding for vital Children’s Services in St Helens borough by £13,962,762 since 2010/11.

Spending on early intervention strategies and preventative services have been particularly affected. This means that local authorities are forced to shift spending to late intervention statutory services at a point where the negative impact on children’s lives will be significantly higher.

A coalition of children’s charities has warned that unless the Government invests £3billion, local authorities will run the serious risk of being unable to keep children safe and well.

These cuts are having a significant impact on the life chances of the most vulnerable children. I am calling on the Government to provide the critical investment that children’s services so desperately need.