Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Ministry of Justice Transparency Data entitled Updated estimates of children with a parent in prison, published on 10th September 2026, what cross-departmental provisions or early-years interventions are in place to support infants and pre-school children experiencing parental imprisonment.

The department is working closely with the Ministry of Justice, running pilots to understand how we can better recognise and support children with a parent in prison. We are also working across government to ensure this cohort is reflected in existing policy, processes and provision.

All three and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education a week, while eligible disadvantaged two-year-olds can also access 15 hours.

The government is investing over £900 million in Best Start Family Hubs and the Healthy Babies scheme between 2026 and 2029. Hubs provide universal, open access services for babies and children, focusing on pregnancy and early years.

Best Start Family Hubs are expected to build strong partnerships across community, education, health and wider services, and provide sensitive, trauma-informed support to children and families affected by parent or carer imprisonment, connecting them to appropriate services and more targeted support, where appropriate.