Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to expand the Best Start family hub programmes to offer healthcare and education support services at the weekend.

On 7 July 2025, the government published ‘Giving every child the Best Start in Life’, which is available on GOV.UK. This outlines the government’s commitment to deliver a new Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services.

We will fund Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to ensure that children and families who need support the most, especially those from low-income backgrounds or those with additional vulnerabilities can access it.

Local authorities will deliver joined up and enhanced services through family hubs so that all parents and carers can access the support they need, when they need it. Local authorities will receive a programme guide with minimum delivery expectations and will be expected to develop clear plans to establish and enhance family hubs in their area. The role of local authorities will include identifying family hub sites, commissioning services within family hubs and the recruitment of staff to deliver services. Services and their availability, including weekend opening hours, will vary depending on local needs.