Today, Margaret Mullane, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Dagenham & Rainham has launched a petition calling on Havering Council to reconsider the closure of Elm Park Children’s Centre. A decision being proposed by the council as part of their 2023/24 Budget consultation.

SIGN THE PETITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

Margaret Mullane PPC said: “After over a decade of Tory cuts to local government funding, and mismanagement of the national economy, councils like Havering are now faced with tough decisions. However, this proposal is outrageous when you consider the backdrop. Energy, fuel, rent, and inflation all at record highs, pushing everyday essentials out of reach for hard working families who are struggling to put food on the table, heat their homes, and keep the lights on.

“Elm Park Children’s Centre provides a vital service for our most vulnerable families – often supporting those with nowhere else to turn. I am urging local people to get behind this campaign, sign the petition, take part in the consultation, and help me send a message to Havering Council.”

Take part in the consultation before December 30 here: https://consultation.havering.gov.uk/corporate/budget-2023

Since the consultation launched Jon Cruddas MP has been inundated with emails from residents of Elm Park concerned about the impact of the proposed closure of Elm Park Children’s Centre. The current Labour MP for Dagenham & Rainham has today submitted a letter to the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council shining a light on these concerns.

Margaret added: “We have lots of young families in Dagenham & Rainham and I believe that all children should receive free school meals, and parents should have access to both free and affordable childcare options. Children’s Centres like the one in Elm Park have an essential role to play for families in our area and must be protected.”

SIGN THE PETITION BELOW.