A Haworth children’s centre which was reprieved following threatened Bradford Council funding cuts has been visited by a Labour party shadow minister.

MP Lucy Powell, shadow minister for childcare and children, visited the Treetops Centre yesterday.

She was accompanied by Bradford Council Worth Valley ward candidate Mark Curtis.

Mrs Powell said: “It was great to meet mums and dads in Haworth with Mark Curtis to talk about childcare and Sure Start.

“Families in Yorkshire have seen childcare costs soar five times faster than wages under this Government.

“At the same time, 4,400 families across Bradford have seen the support they relied on to help make childcare affordable reduced by ministers.

“Hardworking families will be better off with Labour. We understand that increased help with childcare is good for the economy and for families.

“Our plans to extend free childcare from 15 to 25 hours for working parents with three and four-year-olds will make a real difference to 800 children and their families in Keighley and Worth Valley alone.”

Other candidates in the Worth Valley ward are: Peter Corkindale (Ukip); Celia Hickson (Green); Glen Miller (Conservative) and Alan Sykes (Lib Dem).