Skip to main content

Written question asked by Andy MacNae (Labour) on Friday, 23 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 January 2026. It was answered by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Thursday, 29 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, what steps he is taking to ensure equitable access to Healthy Babies services for babies in constituencies that cross multiple local authority boundaries.

Answer

We know that many local authorities have strong ties with other areas in their region, and some Healthy Babies services may be delivered across local authority boundaries. Current Family Hubs and Start for Life programme guidance encourages local authorities to consider how best they can collaborate with other areas in their region in improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families.

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, 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
108056
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Babies Equality Health services
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk