Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to work with (a) voluntary and (b) private sector partners to deliver Family Hubs.

We welcome the development of family hubs. We know that many areas are already moving towards this model of support for children and families.

It is ultimately up to local councils to decide how to organise and commission services in their areas, including how these can be delivered in partnership with voluntary and private sector organisations. Local councils are best placed to understand local needs and how best to meet them, and they should be the ones to determine how to deliver services to children and families in their area.