Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 July 2025
Correspondence from Minister Daby re the First 1000 Days
From: Health and Social Care Committee
Inquiry: The First 1000 Days: a renewed focus
Summary
Minister Janet Daby writes to decline an in-person appearance at the Health and Social Care Committee's First 1000 Days inquiry on 16 July due to diary constraints, but outlines the Department for Education's investment in Family Hubs and Start for Life programme across 75 local authorities, emphasizing integration of early childhood health and education services and collaboration with health workers to identify families needing support.
Key findings
- Family Hubs and Start for Life programme currently operates in 75 local authorities, with government commitment to expand reach to more disadvantaged families through 'Test, Learn and Grow' collaborative projects with Cabinet Office and DHSC
- Health workforce—particularly midwives and health visitors—identified as essential for effective programme delivery and early identification of parental need
- Shared data between health and family services confirmed to enhance service take-up and early identification of need
- Spending Review 2025 commits continued investment and expansion of Family Hubs programme; Prime Minister's Plan for Change (December 2024) outlined ambition to strengthen and join up family services from pregnancy through early childhood
- Department for Education working with DHSC to provide detail on future funding and spending plans; DHSC noted as lead on inquiry objectives
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Janet Daby MP, Layla Moran MP, Minister Dalton, Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care, Cabinet Office
Notable line
“Integrating early childhood services, including health and education, is a key aim of the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme …”
Key Quotes
“Integrating early childhood services, including health and education, is a key aim of the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, which is currently being delivered in 75 local authorities.”
“Health workers, such as midwives and health visitors, are crucial for identifying parents who would benefit from family services.”
“We know that shared data between health and family services enhances service take-up and early identification of need.”
“The government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗