APPG Activities
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…
Read MoreFirst 1001 Days Movement calls for action to address decline in baby health
Over 200 charities publish a ‘Manifesto for babies’ today, to address a five-year decline in toddler development. One in five two-year olds in England are now below expected levels of development. Charities warn failure to act now will create ‘a ticking time bomb’ that hits when children start school. Ahead of what is set to…
Read MoreA letter to Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer: The future of Start for Life and services that support babies
1 March 2024 RE. The future of Start for Life and services that support babies Dear Chancellor, Ahead of next week’s Budget, we urge you to provide certainty over the future of the government’s Start for Life programme. We sincerely hope that funding for the programme will not end in a year’s time, as currently…
Read MoreNew First 1001 Days report highlights the ongoing impact for babies born during the COVID pandemic
A new report released by the First 1001 Days Movement and Institute of Health Visiting shows an alarming 95% of professionals questioned say they are seeing an ongoing negative impact on babies’ and young children’s social skills due to the COVID pandemic. The report, ‘Casting Long Shadows: The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on…
Read MoreFirst 1001 Days Movement’s response to the National Review into the murders of Arthur and Star
Today we read, with enormous sadness, the National Review of the murders of Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo Hughes. As a Movement that concentrates on children in the earliest years of life, our response focuses specifically on Star’s story and the way in which she was failed by our public services and public policy. The…
Read MoreLaunch of Why Health Visitors Matter report
Today we are launching #HealthVisitorsMatter – a report compiled of short pieces by parents, professionals, and charity leaders that show the breadth and depth of health visitors’ work and its importance. Health visitors perform a vital role. Babies and children under two are the most vulnerable of all our children. They are also least…
Read MoreImpact of COVID-19 Inquiry
Today the Government published its response to the Petitions Committee’s inquiry on the impact of COVID-19 on new parents and their babies. The response is available here. Our analysis of the response highlights a number of areas where we feel it is insufficient: The Government is diminishing the impact of the pandemic on our babies…
Read MoreOur briefing for the debate on ‘giving every child the best start in life’
On Tuesday 9th November there will be a backbench business debate in the House of Commons on ‘giving every child the best start in life’. This is sponsored by cross-party MPs Sarah Olney, Dame Andrea Leadsom and Catherine McKinnell. It provides a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of action in the earliest…
Read MoreFirst 1001 Days Movement response to the Budget and Spending Review
In today’s Budget and Spending Review, the Chancellor stated the importance of a child’s first 1001 days and announced new funding for services for children and families. The Budget and Spending Review documents can be found here. We welcome the Chancellor’s recognition of the importance of the first 1001 days and the funding invested in…
Read MoreFirst 1001 Days Movement calls on the Chancellor to fund the Start for Life Vision
Today, we called on the Chancellor to provide the resources required to ensure that the Government’s Start for Life Vision becomes a reality for babies and their families across England. The Chancellor has said that this autumn’s Spending Review will ensure “strong and innovative public services” and level up across the UK to “increase and…
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