Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life

Harriett Baldwin Excerpts

Monday 7th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

I can confirm to my hon. Friend that his local authority will benefit from the extra funding. The area is one of those not currently funded, but it will be receiving funding shortly—this year—to start the process of moving towards a Best Start family hub in the next year. We will be clear with local authorities that we want a focus on disadvantage, to ensure that the services are accessible to the families who need them the most. However, building on the great record of Sure Start, any parent or family who needs support, particularly in the early years, should be able to access it.

[Dame Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

It is great news for the babies of Britain that a cross-party consensus has broken out about the importance of the very first days of life. I welcome that the family hubs and the Start for Life programme have morphed into the Best Start family hub programme, with cross-party support. Will the Secretary of State outline what difference parents in Worcestershire will see, specifically with regard to children with special educational needs?

[Bridget Phillipson]

The hon. Lady’s local authority area is not currently funded through the programme and it will receive funding, including a share of a £12 million development grant, which we will confirm in the next few weeks, to start the process, ahead of opening a Best Start family hub next year. As I said earlier, we will ensure there is a trained SEND professional in every setting so parents get early and timely access to support.