On Tuesday (16 July 2019), there was a Backbench Business debate on early years family support.

In November 2018, the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee published a report on evidence-based early years intervention. It recommended that the Government should ensure that it has better oversight of the provision of early intervention around the country, so that it can identify approaches that are working well, detect local authorities in need of support and hold local authorities to account.

I believe it is important that best practice by local authorities is spread across the country. I am disappointed that this key recommendation presented by the Committee has not been accepted by the Government.

Additionally, in February 2019 the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee published a report which highlighted the importance of the first 1000 days of life, from conception to age two, as a critical phase during which the foundations of a child’s development are laid. The report highlighted that some councils have seen 50% reductions in funding for children’s centres.

I am deeply concerned over the rate at which Sure Starts and children’s centres have disappeared from our communities. It is vital that the Government works towards a national strategy that ends the postcode lottery of provision.

I welcome many of the recommendations presented in the Health and Social Care Committee’s report, including that the Government should consider the needs of the most vulnerable families in all its policies across all departments.