Stuart Anderson MP has urged Shropshire Council to take part in the Government's Best Start Family Hubs programme, which is investing £500 million in family support services across the country.
Stuart's campaign follows an intervention that he made in the House of Commons on 15th July 2025, when he asked Ministers to deliver government support for Family Hubs in South Shropshire.
This also follows a formal written question that Stuart had tabled in Parliament in March, calling on Ministers to match the last government's commitment to family hubs.
The last government provided an initial investment of £300 million into these services. As part of its manifesto, the Conservative Party then pledged to deliver a Family Hub in every local authority in England.
Stuart was pleased when the Spending Review in June accepted his request. Ministers then published their 'Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life' Strategy on 7th July 2025.
As part of this scheme, it was announced that every local authority would be supported to deliver a 'Best Start Family Hub' by April 2026.
Following his intervention, Stuart has been notified that the Department for Education (DfE) directly contacted Shropshire Council on 18th July 2025 to provide guidance on the Best Start Family Hubs Development Grant.
The Development Grant scheme makes available £12 million for local authorities that are not currently funded to deliver government-sponsored programmes.
The guidance asks Shropshire Council to identify at least one Best Start Family Hub by January 2026 and to strengthen local plans for programme delivery from April 2026.
The guidance also asks Shropshire Council to confirm its intention to take part in the scheme by 8th August 2025. Stuart has requested confirmation from Shropshire Council that it will take part in the scheme.
Stuart has said that doing so could provide valuable support for local young families. Family hubs are ‘one-stop shops’ that help parents with a range of support including infant feeding, mental health support, health visits, and parenting classes.
Stuart's campaign to seek government support for family hubs in South Shropshire is the latest stage in his plan to seek better support for South Shropshire's more than 700 young families.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"Children across the country, including rural areas like ours in South Shropshire, deserve the very best start in life. As a parent, I proudly supported the last government's plan to equip every local authority with funding to deliver family hubs. In Parliament, I urged the new government to remain committed to the roll-out and support families in South Shropshire. I am thrilled that the new government has confirmed its commitment to this programme and contacted Shropshire Council to provide guidance on how to access dedicated funding. I have now urged Shropshire Council to confirm its participation in this programme which could be a lifeline for local families and strengthen access to valuable wraparound support services."
