Health secretary Yvette Cooper has announced that the Healthy Babies programme will be expanded to all local authorities.

As a result, by 2028, parents will get enhanced infant feeding and mental health support, as well as help to form strong relationships with their babies, alongside health visiting and midwifery support, at more than 1,000 hubs.

The announcement is part of the government’s neighbourhood health approach that will see integrated early years, family and elderly support delivered closer to home.  

Best Start Family hubs have been rolling out across England, but currently more than half of local authorities have hubs without Healthy Babies services.