Concern raised over future of ‘Start for Life’ 

The First 1001 Days Movement has written to new Ministers highlighting the urgent need for clarity over the future of the Start for Life programme.  

The letters, signed by 11 charity Chief Executives, welcome Labour’s election manifesto ambition “to raise the healthiest generation of children in our history”, and flag the role Start for Life has played supporting vulnerable babies. We have asked to meet Wes Streeting and Bridget Phillipson to discuss the future of the programme and other recommendations of our ‘Manifesto for Babies’. 

Start for Life provided funding for Family Hubs in 75 areas in England as well as £100m for perinatal and parent-infant support. This has helped to address gaps in NHS provision of mental health services for under-2s.  Now some services are facing an uncertain future, as funding is only committed until 1 April 2025. 

You can read here our letters to the Secretary of State for Health and Care and the Secretary of State for Education.