Written question asked by Rachael Maskell (Labour) on Monday, 5 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. It was answered by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 January 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Babies: Health Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to the commitment in the 10-Year Health Plan for England to expand the Start for Life/Healthy Babies programme to every local authority, when will York receive funding to provide these services for the 2,614 babies aged 0-2 in York Central constituency.

Answer

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to how we will improve the nation’s health by creating a new model of care that is fit for the future.

We recognise that local authorities such as City of York Council are ambitious, seeking to deliver universal support to families and prevent escalating need. We are committed to delivering the 10-Year Health Plan ambition to match Healthy Babies, formerly Start for Life, to Best Start Family Hubs over the next decade.

Healthy Babies is one element of our broader commitment to supporting babies, children, and families. From April 2026, Best Start Family Hubs will expand to every single local authority, including City of York Council, backed by over £500 million to reach up to half a million more children and families. This funding will help all local authorities to integrate a range of statutory and non-statutory health and family services.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 102784
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Fit for the Future: The 10 Year Health Plan for England
Thursday, 3 July 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects: Babies Health services Finance York Central
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Babies: Health Services

Secondary information

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