Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled The best start for life: a vision for the 1,001 critical days, published on 25 March 2021, what steps he is taking to help ensure that every parent receives ante natal and post natal support.

The best start for life: a vision for the 1,001 critical set out the antenatal and postnatal care that families should receive, including from midwifery, health visiting, General Practice and other services. All pregnant women should receive safe, personalised care from a midwife throughout the antenatal, labour and birth and the postnatal periods. Universal health and wellbeing reviews should also be offered to all families, with additional care based on their needs.

In addition, the Government announced around £300 million to fund a new three-year Family Hubs and Start for Life programme. This programme will deliver a step-change in outcomes for babies, children, parents, and carers in 75 local authorities with high levels of deprivation and poor health and educational outcomes.

The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme guide outlines a minimum offer that all 75 eligible local authorities participating in the programme are expected to provide. This includes antenatal classes on infant feeding for all expectant parents, and postnatal perinatal mental health and parent infant relationship support.