Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to ensure that parents are part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, meet in regular cross-government discussions and are committed to working together.

Supporting families and children across the country to get the best start in life is a crucial part of the government’s ambition to level up. The government has prioritised support for children and families in the Spending Review and announced a £300 million package to transform services for parents and babies, carers and children in half of local authorities in England.

£50 million will be available for parenting support. The department will ensure online parenting programmes are available to new parents in the 75 selected local authorities, alongside additional targeted support to families most in need.