Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's policy paper Giving every child the best start in life strategy, published on 7 July 2025, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that parenting support delivered as part of the strategy is evidence-based.

As part of the ‘Giving every child the best start in life’ strategy, the department is investing in evidence-based parenting and home learning environment (HLE) interventions delivered through Best Start Family Hubs. These programmes are designed to support children’s early development across key domains, including communication and language, early literacy, cognitive skills, and social, emotional and behavioural wellbeing.

To support local authorities in commissioning high quality provision, the department will provide guidance on the commissioning of parenting and HLE interventions with a strong evidence base and proven impact. We are working in partnership with the National Centre for Family Hubs, the Foundations What Works Centre for Children & Families, and Nesta to help local areas identify and implement the most effective programmes. This will ensure greater consistency and quality across the country and support our ambition for 75% of children to achieve a good level of development by 2028.