"Shrugging at abused and exploited children is not policy, it is moral bankruptcy. Calling proper funding for children in care a 'reward' is obscene and offensive. Protecting vulnerable children is a basic moral and legal duty of the state."
"Our children and our families deserve far better than arrogance, indifference and a shrug of 'that's life'. That comment tells you everything. It is not policy, it is moral bankruptcy."
"He absolutely did not say that's life' in response to being asked about funding for children in social care as is suggested, and never would. The MHCLG source said Hartlepool council had been given one of the biggest funding increases in the country."
Hartlepool council's Labour leadership publicly criticized housing secretary Steve Reed following a meeting where they requested £3 million to address growing social care costs. The town faces significant challenges, ranking third nationally in children in care per capita and experiencing high deprivation levels. Council leader Pamela Hargreaves condemned Reed's response, claiming he dismissed their concerns by stating funding for children in care should not reward councils with high numbers and dismissing the discussion with 'that's life.' Hargreaves characterized this as moral bankruptcy and argued protecting vulnerable children represents a fundamental state duty. The government disputed this account, claiming Reed's comment referenced budget pressures from his previous role and was misrepresented.
#social-care-funding #children-in-care #local-government #hartlepool-council #government-accountability
Read at www.theguardian.com
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