Scarborough MP calls for new Family Hub to be based in constituency
The Government has agreed to fund the "Best Start Family Hub" in North Yorkshire
Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume is urging North Yorkshire Council to ensure that a newly funded Best Start Family Hub is established within her constituency.
Ms Hume’s call comes after the government announced that North Yorkshire will be among the first local authorities to receive funding for the hubs, with £205,934 allocated to create a centralised support service for families across the county.
The Best Start Family Hubs are designed as one-stop shops offering advice and practical help on a wide range of issues, including breastfeeding, early language development, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), housing support, and health visiting.
“Over 27 percent of children here are living in child poverty,” said Ms Hume. “These hubs will be transformative for so many children. We want to break the link between a child’s background and what they go on to achieve in life.”
Ms Hume has written to NYC Chief Executive Richard Flinton to make the case for placing the hub in her constituency.
“I’m delighted my campaigning, and that of my fellow Labour MPs to restore vital family services, has been recognised,” she added. “The Best Start Family Hubs build on government efforts already underway to make family life easier and ease the burden on parents.”
Recent government measures include expanding free school meals, introducing free breakfast clubs, increasing childcare provision, ensuring every primary school has a library, and widening access to school-based nurseries. Several schools in Scarborough and Whitby are already early adopters of these policies.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the hubs represent a cornerstone of the government's “Plan for Change,” aiming to level the playing field for children across the country.
“It’s the driving mission of this government to break the link between a child’s background and what they go on to achieve,” she said. “Making sure hard-working parents are able to benefit from more early help is a promise made, and promise kept.”
North Yorkshire Council is yet to confirm where the new Family Hub will be located.