Baroness Massey of Darwen – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Massey of Darwen on 2016-01-13.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children’s centres have closed in the last year, and how many will close in 2016.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

In 2015, 144 children’s centres closed. The Department does not routinely collect data on the number of anticipated closures but expects local authorities to fulfil their duties under the Childcare Act 2006 to ensure sufficient children’s centres to meet the needs of local families. Local authorities must consult fully before any significant changes are made to children’s centre services.