Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Child Poverty Taskforce has held discussions with the Department for Education on the potential inclusion of family hubs in the forthcoming Child Poverty Strategy.
Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances for every child. For too many children, living in poverty robs them of the opportunity to learn and to prosper.
The Ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce co-chaired by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has now met nine times to discuss the critical issues that drive child poverty. One such meeting in January focused on the crucial role of local services, including Family Hubs, in reducing the impact of poverty.
Family Hubs offer vital services from birth to age 19, or to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities, supporting health, education, and wellbeing, particularly for families in poverty. In 2025/26, £126 million will be invested through Family Hubs and Start for Life to give every child the best start in life.
The Taskforce will continue to explore all available levers to drive forward short and long-term action across government to reduce child poverty, including Family Hubs.