Healthy Babies programme to be expanded across England
Summary
The UK government is expanding the Healthy Babies programme to all local areas in England. This programme offers support for parents with infant feeding, mental health, and bonding, along with health and midwifery services. It is part of a larger plan to create 1,000 family hubs by 2027, similar to the earlier Sure Start centres that helped families and young children.Key Facts
- The Healthy Babies programme supports infant feeding, parental mental health, and bonding with babies.
- The programme will be available in up to 1,000 family hubs across England within two years.
- Sure Start, a similar programme started in 1998, provided integrated services for families but was reduced under Conservative government spending cuts.
- The Labour government is funding £500 million to open 1,000 new family hubs by April 2027.
- More than half of local authorities currently have family hubs without Healthy Babies services, which will now change.
- The programme aims to restore services seen as important for supporting disadvantaged children and families.
- Early years teachers will be paid to work in the most deprived areas to improve children's outcomes.
- Labour officials describe these services as key to reducing inequality and helping children get a better start in life.
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