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Please find below a comment from the Early Years Alliance following the publication of the IFS' report highlighting the wide-ranging and long-lasting benefits of Sure Start.

Commenting Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:

“This research reinforces what those of us in the early years have long known: that children’s centres play an absolutely critical role in improving children’s life chances, especially those from more disadvantaged backgrounds.

"As the IFS rightly points out, this kind of integrated early support has a positive impact not only on the children accessing the services, but on society as a whole in the longer term. Clearly, then, investing in quality integrated early years services is not just the right moral decision, but a smart economic choice too.

"At a time when the government has rightly made giving children the best possible start in life a policy priority, we urge ministers to take note of these findings and, as they look to develop their forward early years strategy, ensure that the critical role of children’s centres is not overlooked."