APPG Meetings
2024 - 2026
Tuesday, 23rd June 2026
The APPG on Babies hosted its inaugural Showcase in parliament, described as a ‘celebration of Best Start Family Hubs’. Parliamentarians and civil servants met professionals, services and charities delivering Healthy Babies services. Guest speakers, Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson MP and the Government’s Best Start champion Sue Robb OBE shared their vision for ensuring every baby gets the best start in life. Parliamentarians also had the pleasure of meeting a seven week-old baby and learning how even the very youngest babies communicate through reactions, movements and responses.
Tuesday, 14th April 2026 - Hybrid meeting
This hybrid meeting was chaired by Maya Ellis MP. It brought MPs, Peers, early years experts and charities together to hear from Dame Andrea Leadsom. Dame Andrea founded the 1001 Critical Days Foundation and outlined their plans to secure UK (and global) legislation to provide for babies. She announced their new global research institute, and plans to further evidence the substantial economic benefits of investing in the first 1001 days. Parliamentarians and stakeholders discussed topics including legislative routes and risks; the need for collaboration across government departments; local implementation challenges; data gaps (especially relating to fathers); and the quality and role of early years provision.
Wednesday, 28th January 2026, AGM and meeting
An AGM was held and Officers were re-elected.
Following the AGM, a hybrid meeting commenced, chaired by Maya Ellis MP. The meeting included two external speakers. Tim Loughton (former Children’s Minister and previous chair of the APPG Conception to Age Two), described the work his predecessor APPG undertook in the last parliament to get babies onto the policy agenda. Naomi Eisenstadt (pioneer of Sure Start and Non Exec of DHSC and DfE) described how important love and money are for babies’ development, and outlined the importance of having a ‘Best Start in Life’ strategy. MPs and stakeholders discussed Family Hubs, the Healthy Child programme and health visiting, the Start for Life/Healthy babies programme and the role of families, childminders and nurseries.
Wednesday, 19th November 2025
This hybrid meeting was chaired by Maya Ellis MP.
It brought MPs and Peers together with a number of early years experts, academics, professionals and charities in a roundtable discussion. Participants shared insights on how best to engage government, recent positive policy developments and remaining gaps.
Topics raised included the Start for Life programme, Best Start in Life strategy, developments in early education, workforce developments and parental leave.
Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
This was an in-person meeting with Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention.
The meeting was chaired by Maya Ellis MP, with several parliamentarians attending.
External attendees were the National Children's Bureau and the Parent-Infant Foundation.
Thursday, 19th June 2025
This was an in-person EGM, where MPs and Peers elected a new Officer. This was in order to comply with the rules governing All-Party Parliamentary Groups, which specify that one of the four APPG Officers must be from the main party of opposition.
Dr Kieran Mullan MP was elected as the new Officer, and the meeting was chaired by Maya Ellis MP.
Tuesday, 29 October 2024
This was an in-person formal Inaugural General Meeting (IGM) to constitute the APPG and elect officers. A list of APPG members is here.
The meeting was chaired by Maya Ellis MP. Parliamentarians confirmed the purpose of the group and discussed its focus and plans for the year ahead. The group was registered in accordance with the rules set out by Parliament. These rules can be accessed here.
APPG meeting minutes are available on request by contacting the secretariat: [email protected]