KEETCH CALLS FOR CLARITY ON CHILDREN'S FUNDING

1.17.00pm GMT Tue 17th Feb 2004

Lib Dem MP for Hereford Paul Keetch is writing to Chancellor Gordon Brown to ask for clarity on the impact that changes to the Children's Fund will have on services for vulnerable children in Herefordshire.

Mr Keetch met today (Tuesday 17th) with Richard Watson, Children's Fund Programme Manager & Eileen Hyde of Mediation Herefordshire, who were due to deliver part of a preventative programme for children aged 5 -13, to discuss the proposed reduction in funding from central Government.

"There are serious concerns about this reduction in funding," Mr Keetch said. "Central to the problem is that people on the ground in Herefordshire don't yet know exactly how big the cut will be. At least if there were precise details available it would be possible to try and plan for the future.

"These cuts could seriously affect providers of key services to the most vulnerable in our community - children affected by domestic violence or bereavement, for example. If the Government is going to make these cuts then the people at the fore-front of children's care need more details and that is why I am writing to the Chancellor for clarification.

"We know that funding is tight in Government at the moment, but when cuts are made that can affect key services like these then people need to know exact details quickly so that they can plan for the future. I hope that the Chancellor will be able to provide me with those details."