Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support Start for Life services in Sheffield; and if he will make it his policy to extend funding beyond 1 April 2025.

The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme is central to the Government’s commitments to give every baby the best start in life, and to deliver the healthiest generation of children ever.

Sheffield is one of 75 local authorities the Government is funding to ensure parents and carers can access Start for Life services from conception to the age of two years old. We work closely with them to support programme implementation across all funded strands, and they have opened seven Family Hub sites with Start for Life services at their heart since 2023. We also signpost policy toolkits, provide guidance, and facilitate the sharing of good practice between local authorities.

The Autumn Budget announcement included £69 million to continue delivery of a network of Family Hubs in 2025/26. The Department will confirm Start for Life funding in due course.