Thousands of families in England are set to benefit from a £126 million government funding boost aimed at enhancing early years support, including pregnancy care, infant feeding advice, and parenting classes.
Government Announces £126 Million Funding for Early Years Support
The UK government has announced a significant funding increase to support families with young children, as part of its Plan for Change.
The government designs this £126 million boost to provide comprehensive support to parents, particularly in areas with high levels of deprivation. The government will allocate the funding over the 2025-26 financial year.
Areas of Support and Allocation
The funding will be distributed across several critical areas.
Allocation |
Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Total Allocation to 75 Local Authorities | 57,000,000 |
| Improving Mental Health Support | 36,500,000 |
| Infant Feeding Services | 18,500,000 |
| Accessing and Understanding Local Support Services | 2,000,000 |
The government will establish a £69 million network of family hubs, offering one-stop-shops for family support services.
Economic and Social Impact
Investing in early childhood support is expected to have long-term economic benefits. Estimates suggest that such investments could generate £45.5 billion for the national economy by improving population health and increasing the number of years individuals spend in good health as adults.
Statistics and Implementation Details
- £36.5 million to improve mental health support for families
- £18.5 million to enhance infant feeding services
- £2 million to improve access to local Start for Life services
Government Perspective
This crucial investment provides a strong foundation to deliver our commitment to raise the healthiest generation of children ever, by giving parents the support they need to ensure their baby has the best start in life.
The first two years of a child’s life lay the building blocks for their physical and emotional wellbeing into adulthood. That’s why we are investing in early years, as part of our Plan for Change, to improve access to services in deprived areas to ensure no-one is left behind.
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention
The government’s commitment to early years support reflects a broader strategy to address the disparities in child development and readiness for school. Over 80% of parents have reported struggling to access these services, which can significantly impact a child’s development.
Progress and Targets
- 75% of five-year-olds are targeted to reach a good level of development in the early years foundation stage assessment by 2028
- Current funding complements commitments to improve the quality of early education and childcare
- £250 million allocated for local authorities to develop a new Family Help offer for those struggling with the greatest adversity
Local and Regional Impact
The funding will particularly benefit areas with high levels of deprivation, where families often face significant challenges in accessing essential support services.
Local authorities will use the funds to strengthen existing support and introduce new services, such as face-to-face and virtual infant feeding support, and mental health support for families.
This funding boost will make a tangible difference in thousands of families’ lives, supporting their children’s development.
Broader Significance
The investment in early years support is part of a larger strategy to improve child development outcomes and reduce disparities in education and health.
By focusing on the critical early years, the government aims to create a healthier and more equitable society in the long term.
