NCB Chief Executive responds to Start for Life funding extension

Following the Department for Education's announcement that Start for Life funding will be extended until March 2026, NCB CEO Anna Feuchtwang has issued the following statement.

"The National Children’s Bureau supports the government’s ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever, and its mission to increase the number of 5-year-olds reaching a good level of development at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage, before the next General Election.  

"That is why we warmly welcome today's announcement that funding for the Start for Life programme will be extended until March 2026. This compliments commitments in October's Budget to fund Family Hubs, improve the quality of early education and childcare, and provide £250 million for local authorities to develop a new Family Help offer for those struggling with the greatest adversity. 

"The funding announced today is a much needed down-payment that must pave the way for greater investment in the multi-year Spending Review, so that Start for Life can reach all parts of the country."