Bury is one of seven local authorities across the North West to have been given a major investment which will see Sure Start-style services returning to the region.
Today (14th October), the Labour government has announced grants provided to local authorities to ensure every community has a Best Start Family Hub.
MPs across the North West are celebrating the success of their local campaigns to bring family and community services back to the region.
A total of £1.2m has been given to seven Local Authorities in the North West to set up the Hubs in some of the regions most deprived areas.
Labour’s Best Start Family Hubs will act as a one stop shop for parents seeking a range of support, including on difficulty breastfeeding, housing issues or children’s early development and language, reassuring families that they have convenient access to support in their local area or can be efficiently connected to specialist local services.
Bury will receive £137,208 in this batch of funding. Other areas granted funds include Cheshire West and Chester, Trafford, Sefton, Warrington, Wigan and Lancashire.
James Frith, Labour MP for Bury North, said: “I’m so pleased this vital investment in family services will be coming to Bury, helping to give our children the best start in life.
“We know that too many families are struggling – over a third of all children in Bury North are growing up in poverty. It is my mission, and the mission of this Labour government to change that, so it is good news that this vital new service will be in Chesham Fold, right as the heart of where it is needed most – something I’ve pushed for since being elected last year.
“This £137,000 investment to open a local Best Start family hub will be transformative – alongside free breakfast clubs and government-funded childcare, we are delivering on our Plan for Change.”
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said: “It’s the driving mission of this government to break the link between a child’s background and what they go on to achieve – our new Best Start Family Hubs will put the first building blocks of better life chances in place for more children.
“I saw firsthand how initiatives like Sure Start helped level the playing field, transforming the lives of children by putting in place family support in the earliest years of life, and as part of our Plan for Change, we’re building on its legacy for the next generation of children.
“Making sure hard-working parents are able to benefit from more early help is a promise made, and promise kept – delivering a lifeline of consistent support across the nation, ensuring health, social care and education work in unison to ensure all children get the best start in life.”
North West new Best Start Family Hubs will compliment work the Labour government already has underway to make family life easier and alleviate the burden on parents, including by expanding government-funded childcare to 30-hours, increasing the reach of school-based nurseries, and rolling out free breakfast clubs in every primary school to support working parents.
Rochdale Council slams reckless drivers as 435 ignore school crossing patrols in just five weeks
Local care leaver secures job with First Bus after internship success in Rochdale
Heywood & Middleton MP calls for council’s £1.5m to be focused on town renewal
Residents invited to shape £20 million investment in Smallbridge & Hurstead
Motorcyclist dies in M60 crash as police arrest two drivers over dangerous driving
Rochdale Council signs inclusive language pledge to support young people with dignity
Pavilion plans unveiled as Heywood Cricket Club bowls for a greener future
Six big questions answered on the Simister Island upgrade
Plans unveiled for Rochdale’s first ever padel club
Hopwood Hall College’s class of 2025 graduates in style at town hall ceremony
Creative careers course opens doors for Rochdale’s young artists
Rochdale shuts down two more shops in illicit tobacco crackdown
