Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Early Years

Monday 21 July 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • James Asser thanked the Minister for visiting Curwen primary school in Plaistow to see its early years education work.
  • The Minister assured constituents of Government commitments to support vulnerable children and families through spending review.
  • John Whitby highlighted the closure of Sure Start children's centres in Derbyshire under the Conservative government.
  • The Minister committed to funding Best Start family hubs in every local authority, including Derbyshire, to reach half a million children nationally.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Asser Lab West Ham and Beckton
Economy Children & Families
Context

The MP visited Curwen primary school to discuss early years education with parents facing economic and housing hardships.

Question

I thank the Minister for joining me at Curwen primary school in Plaistow recently to see its excellent early years education work. He heard from parents about the struggles they often face as a result of serious economic and housing hardship. Will he assure my constituents that the Government will look at communities like mine, where housing and poverty create serious challenges for families, to ensure that all children, no matter their circumstances, get the best possible educational start in life?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

I thank my hon. Friend for our excellent visit to Curwen primary school last week, where I saw excellent work on supporting children’s speech and language to deliver for some of our most vulnerable children and families. Our spending review commitments are a downpayment on the child poverty strategy to build on expanding free breakfast clubs and free school meals, boost the national minimum wage and cap universal credit deductions through the fair repayment rate.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address how support will be tailored for disadvantaged communities.

How: Downpayment On Child Poverty Strategy

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Q2 John Whitby Lab Derbyshire Dales
Children & Families
Context

The previous Labour Government created Sure Start, which was effective in boosting attainment and improving health outcomes. However, under the current government, many children’s centres have been closed.

Question

Sure Start, which was created by the previous Labour Government, boosted attainment, improved health outcomes and increased long-term earnings. However, under the Conservatives, more than 30 children’s centres in Derbyshire were closed, and Derbyshire now does not have a single family hub. What action will the Government take to ensure that more young children in Derbyshire can once again access support during their early years?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

It was a pleasure to visit my hon. Friend’s constituency recently, too. He is a real champion for children and young people. We will fund Best Start family hubs in every local authority, including in Derbyshire. We estimate that the expansion could reach half a million children across the country. Best Start family hubs will be open to all and based in disadvantaged communities, where they are needed most.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address why Sure Start centres were closed or how current funding compares to previous levels.

How: Fund Best Start Family Hubs

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