The Family Hubs Network is delighted the Government has promised £69 million in today’s Autumn Budget, to continue delivering Family Hubs.
This funding decision means Family Hubs will continue to be available in at least half of local authorities across England for the next financial year. Communities with Family Hubs can access vital joined-up and relational services for families with younger children, including infant feeding, early language and support for the home learning environment, parent-infant relationships and perinatal mental health support and parenting. Family Hubs are also key access points for families with older children (5-19 and up to 25 with SEND) who need help.
The Government has recognised the essential importance of Family Hubs to their ambition to give all children the best start in life. The news comes as part of an £8 billion increase in spending on early years and family services in the Budget.
This welcome announcement means our Family Hubs Conference is coming at a particularly key time to influence decisions for longer-term spending. If you would like to book a ticket and be part of the conversation about Family Hubs policy, follow the link here.
The Family Hubs Network would however urge the Government to reconsider abandoning reforms to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. Among cost-cutting measures, the Chancellor has cancelled plans to base this on household income, which we previously advocated for given how little consideration dependents are given in the UK tax system.
“This renewal of funding is a welcome sign that the new Government recognises the difference Family Hubs make: parents know where they can get help in the earliest stages of their children’s lives and up to age 19, so their children thrive.”
Dr Samantha Callan, Director of Family Hubs Network
Image Credits: UK Parliament under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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