David Cameron's mum set to lose volunteering role due to council cuts

Mary Cameron says she's 'sad' at prospect of Chieveley Children's Centre closing

DAVID Cameron's mother is set to lose her volunteering role at a local children's centre as a result of West Berkshire Council's cuts to public services.

Mary Cameron said she is 'very sad' that the Conservative-controlled council is considering closing Chieveley and Area Children's Centre - where she helps out - and moving the service elsewhere.

Mrs Cameron, who lives in Peasemore, West Berkshire, is understood to volunteer at the centre.

It is one of a number of services that will be affected by the council's £17.5m of cuts.

It is the second time in a month that Mrs Cameron has been affected by her son's government's austerity programme.

Weeks ago, the government announced that it would be closing Newbury Magistrates' Court, where Mrs Cameron served as a magistrate.

Yesterday (Thursday) Mrs Cameron told The Mirror: 'I am very sad that it is being closed down but if there's not enough money to pay for it things have to go.

'I enjoy it very much and have been going there for a year and drive families around occasionally.

'I don't really know what can be done really as I've just heard about it. If it closes down then I shan't be volunteering because there will be no one to volunteer for.

'If it keeps going at all I will obviously go on helping if I can.'

Asked if she has spoken to Mr Cameron about the closures, she replied: 'No, because I don't interfere.'

When asked by the NWN whether she wanted to comment further, Mrs Cameron declined.

Mrs Cameron is reported to have recently signed an anti-cuts petition against the closure of children's centres in Oxfordshire.

Four children's centres will close as a result of West Berkshire Council's cuts to services and they will instead be reformed as 'Family and Wellbeing Hubs'.

The changes will save the council more than £300,000.