The hon. Member for Bridgend intervened, agreeing with the importance of supporting new parents, especially fathers, in addressing their mental health after having a child during lockdown.

The hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr acknowledged the debate's focus on early childhood development and enquired about the impact of miscarriage on parents' mental health, suggesting that parental leave after a miscarriage could be beneficial.

The hon. Member for Bath agreed with Sarah Olney's points and expressed concern about the increased rates of domestic violence during lockdown, which has disproportionately affected young children.

Mr Edwards interjects during the debate to suggest that the Government should look at improving shared parental leave policies, noting that currently fewer than 4% of eligible fathers take up this provision.

I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting time to debate this incredibly important subject... Such pervasive child poverty is not inevitable. The last Labour Government reduced child poverty and the concerns about child welfare that it creates. We can do it again and truly give every child the best start in life. We just need the Government to care truly about achieving it.

Is the hon. Member as concerned and shocked as I am about data showing that a mother from an ethnic minority background has a much higher likelihood of experiencing complications during pregnancy or birth that result in their baby being either stillborn or born with a disability? Does she agree that we need absolutely to focus on such discrimination and disadvantages?

Pays tribute to colleagues who secured the debate and highlights the importance of early years discussion. Recalls his experience as Children's Minister, emphasising the need for a joined-up approach locally and at the centre. Discusses research showing increases in perinatal mental illness, domestic abuse, child behaviour problems, poverty affecting families, and child safeguarding issues among health visitors. Supports the Government’s 'best start in life' programme and urges for more resources to address pre-school period challenges.

I stand here as a former shadow Minister for children and families, welcoming the recent funding secured by the Government but emphasising the need to ensure no future cuts to valuable services like Sure Start or family hubs. I highlighted the profound impact of lockdowns on early years sectors and the historical neglect of state nursery education. The late Tessa Jowell's Sure Start programme was a beacon of early years policy, with 3,620 centres in 2010 under Labour, falling by more than 1,300 since then. I call for integration of health and education support, dedicated parent support services, and upskilling of the workforce through continuing professional development. The economic benefits of early intervention are clear, with returns on investment and reduced public burdens.

The debate focuses on the importance of investing in early years development, specifically within the first 1,001 days. Miriam Cates emphasises that this period sets foundational patterns for health, communication, and behaviour throughout life. She acknowledges the detrimental effects of lockdowns on young children's access to professional and community support. The speaker praises the £500 million funding as a critical step in addressing these issues. Additionally, she highlights the necessity of family hubs and their role in providing a one-stop-shop for parents to integrate with local support networks and receive professional advice. Cates also supports the idea of birth registrations at family hubs to ensure that families can access necessary resources early on. She further discusses the importance of recognising parenting as a valuable contribution, particularly through initiatives aimed at equipping parents with skills and support during challenging times. Lastly, she advocates for societal changes that enable parents, especially women, to prioritise their children’s development in the early years without economic hardship.

Stresses the importance of supporting families with young children, highlighting challenges faced by new mothers such as balancing motherhood and work. Mentions the benefits of Welsh Labour Government's childcare policies like 33 hours of free weekly childcare for children aged three to four and the Flying Start programme which supports disadvantaged families. Urges the government to introduce paid neonatal leave legislation and addresses the increased risk of premature birth, stillbirth, and neonatal death faced by young mothers living in deprived areas. Emphasises the critical importance of pre-natal and post-natal care for levelling up social inequality. Criticises the Tory Government's decision to cut universal credit, leading nearly 300,000 children into poverty, urging a U-turn on this policy. Raises concerns about breastfeeding support and the need for legislation protecting women from being photographed without consent while breastfeeding.

Discussed the importance of family hubs and early years support for children in need. Emphasised the need to free the early years sector from bureaucratic processes and integrate funding with local authority and NHS budgets to better serve families. Highlighted the benefits of a strategic approach focusing on the first 1,001 days of a child's life and called for innovation and accountability measures to promote thriving children.

Commented on David Simmonds' speech, acknowledging the importance of ringfencing Sure Start funding but noted that funding cuts under his Government have led to the closure of Sure Start centres in County Durham.

I congratulate the hon. Member for Richmond Park and her co-sponsors on securing this debate, emphasising the importance of statutory maternity pay and shared parental leave to support families of all incomes. I highlighted the work of the APPG for the prevention of childhood trauma, focusing on adverse childhood experiences in the first 1,001 days. These experiences can lead to higher risks of depression, anxiety disorders, alcoholism, drug abuse, and suicide attempts later in life. The Government must increase early years funding, appoint a senior Minister for families and prioritise prevention strategies to address these issues effectively.

I agree with the hon. Member for Bath on maternity benefits and highlighted that the UK's taxation system penalises families, particularly the poorest ones, compared to countries like France, Germany or America. This issue is crucial in protecting families from costs related to early years.

I congratulated right hon. Members for sponsoring this debate and highlighted the impact of the pandemic on babies who missed out on mother-and-toddler groups, playgroups, and nursery songs. I emphasised that 57% of children from poorer backgrounds were ready for school at age five compared to 74% of their better-off peers. Home-Start volunteers have been crucial in supporting families during the pandemic, with over 200 families supported by volunteers in my constituency alone.

Thanked organisations supporting families, acknowledged the work of right hon. Member for South Northamptonshire on early years and recognised the inclusion in Budget. Raised economic imperative highlighting a £28.2 billion loss in output due to lack of childcare. Disputed Wales as best place for children's growth but praised Scotland's baby box initiative providing essentials to new families. Criticised two-child limit for tax credit, citing 308,520 affected families by April 2021. Questioned the impact of not extending £20 universal credit uplift and taper rate reduction on those out of work and facing cost increases. Emphasised lack of control over lives due to financial instability leading to trauma in households. Addressed issues faced by ethnic minority families with high immigration system costs, barriers for family support, and impacts of no recourse to public funds. Highlighted improvements in breastfeeding rates and gaps in deprivation communities.

The hon. Member Alex Norris commended the opening speeches of other Members and emphasised the importance of good health visiting, especially in relation to parental support during lockdowns and the impact of poverty on children's futures. He supported the report by Dame Andrea Leadsom and acknowledged the previous Labour Government's approach. Norris also highlighted the crucial role of health visitors during pregnancy and early childhood development, stressing that adverse experiences can have lifelong impacts. He criticised the reduction in Sure Start services and warned that any savings from these cuts would be offset by increased NHS costs. Finally, he called for long-term investment despite current public finance constraints, urging the Treasury to recognise future returns on early intervention investments.

The Government’s vision is for every parent and carer to have access to high-quality universal services in their local areas. The Government are delivering on six priority action areas: clear information about the Start for Life offer, family hubs, digital and virtual services, a modern skilled workforce, system-wide quality improvement, and leadership at the heart of policy making. There will be an investment of £500 million to transform support for babies and families including expanding family hubs, improving access to integrated support services, clear Start for Life offers, bespoke parent-infant mental health support, breastfeeding support services, evidence-based parenting programmes, innovative workforce models, and additional funding for vulnerable families.

Thanked the Minister for outlining how much has already been delivered and the spending that has been announced. Acknowledged points made by other Members on employment discrimination, climate change, economic impacts of motherhood, personal experiences, trauma and adverse childhood experiences.