Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the conditions of Best Start Family Hubs funding permit a local authority to reduce the number of family hubs in its area while receiving that funding.

Decisions about how family services are configured are for local authorities, which must act in line with their statutory duties and respond to local needs.

Best Start Family Hubs funding does not require authorities to maintain a particular number of Family Hubs. Instead, funding is intended to support the enhancement, expansion and transformation of services, ensuring that families benefit from a stronger, more accessible and better integrated offer. This includes delivery through both Best Start Family Hubs and Best Start Network Sites, which extend the reach of support by providing services through trusted community locations.

The aim is to improve access to services, strengthen integration across the wider system and ensure support is available in ways that best reflect local circumstances. Where authorities propose changes to existing provision, the department will work closely with them to ensure funding is used in line with programme expectations and delivers a demonstrably improved service.