Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robin Millar and Gillian Keegan

Monday 16th January 2023 Commons Chamber

[Robin Millar (Aberconwy) (Con)]

22. What progress she has made with Cabinet colleagues on the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.

[The Secretary of State for Education (Gillian Keegan)]

Family hubs are one-stop shops that make it easier for families to get the support they need and I strongly support them. The Government are investing £300 million in the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, and 75 local authorities will begin to open hubs later this year.

[Gillian Keegan]

I strongly agree with my hon. Friend. We are funding 75 councils for the current spending review period. I have no doubt that the excellent work in East Sussex, led by Becky Shaw and her excellent team, and across the country will make the case for further investment.

[Robin Millar (Aberconwy) (Con)]

I am very proud of the work the Government are doing with family hubs, early years and Start for Life. To give babies the very best start to life, every community in Wales has a cylch meithrin—an informal group of mothers, babies and young children. Care within the community is almost a tradition in Wales, but formal support for early years is more variable across Wales. What arrangements are there for sharing or exchanging best practice with the Welsh Government on such important areas?

[Gillian Keegan]

We have regular meetings with all the devolved authorities, and we share ideas about what we are doing and our policies so that we can learn from one another. There is no monopoly on good ideas; we are always open to listening and sharing.