The UK government is expanding the Healthy Babies programme to every local authority in England, aiming to integrate infant feeding, mental health support, and bonding services into a national network of 1,000 family hubs. Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the rollout at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, confirming the initiative will reach these hubs over the next two years as part of a £500m commitment to be fully realized by April 2027.
Restoring the Sure Start Model
The new policy seeks to mirror the principles of the original Sure Start programme, which launched in 1998 under a previous Labour government. These centres provided integrated services for children under five and their families. While one study previously indicated that Sure Start generated long-term savings worth twice its operational cost, much of the network was dismantled during subsequent years of spending cuts under Conservative governments.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has credited a local centre with helping her as a teenage mother, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has previously described working at the first Sure Start centre in Washington, Tyne and Wear. Phillipson has argued that the achievement gap between affluent and poor children is often established before they enter school, a cycle she links to the loss of these early-life support services.
Did You Know?
The original Sure Start programme, launched in 1998, was identified in a study as producing long-term savings equivalent to twice the total cost of the system.
Current Service Gaps and Expansion Plans
Although the Labour government has opened new family hubs since the last election, more than half of local authorities currently operate hubs that lack Healthy Babies services. Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the government intends to bridge this divide by restoring essential health services—including midwifery care, health visits, and parental mental health support—into every family centre.
Beyond the physical hubs, the Department for Education has initiated plans to recruit and pay qualified early years teachers to work specifically in the most deprived regions. Officials anticipate that placing these educators in areas of greatest need may help address the disparity in life chances for children before they reach school age.
Details on the Healthy Babies programme and family hubs rollout
What services are included in the Healthy Babies programme?
The programme supports parents with infant feeding, mental health, and building bonds with their babies, alongside midwifery care, health visits, and broader integrated services.
When will the full network of family hubs be operational?
The government has committed £500m to open 1,000 centres, with the full rollout expected from April 2027.
Why is the government targeting early years education?
According to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, the achievement gap between the poorest and most affluent children is often “baked in” before they start school, making early intervention critical to preventing a cycle of lost life chances.
How might the restoration of these services impact long-term outcomes for families in your community?
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