Question
I am proud of what the previous Labour Government did in rolling out Sure Start services, and of the role that I played in Nottingham and Derby in that connection. Does the Minister agree that where people are born should not determine their future, and that connecting Sure Start to maternity services delivers hope and opportunity and pulls many children out of poverty, including those living in former coalfield communities in my constituency such as Ollerton, Blidworth, Rainworth and Clipstone?33% vibes
Answer
I strongly agree with my hon. Friend. Sure Start was one of the proudest achievements of the last Labour Government. We are now bringing it to life for a new generation of children with Best Start family hubs, and I am delighted that from April next year we are expanding healthy babies funding to every local authority in England, giving every family access to trusted, practical support during those critical 1,001 days. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who has spoken so powerfully about what needs to change in maternity services so that all women receive care and support at that vulnerable period in their lives.50% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (45/100)
The Minister clearly and directly agreed with the principle that a child's birthplace should not determine their future. The reply then described existing early years and maternity support, such as Sure Start, family hubs and the 1,001 days programme, but it did not engage with the claim that linking these services would lift children out of poverty. It also did not mention the named coalfield communities of Ollerton, Blidworth, Rainworth and Clipstone, so the local part of the question went largely unanswered. The asker would likely need to follow up for a specific answer on the poverty link and the local communities.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does the Minister agree that where people are born should not determine their future? | Addressed | Direct | The Minister states plainly, "I strongly agree with my hon. Friend," which is a direct answer to whether they agree that birthplace should not determine future outcomes. |
| Does the Minister agree that connecting Sure Start services to maternity services pulls many children out of poverty? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply discusses Sure Start, Best Start family hubs, healthy babies funding and the 1,001 days support, which are related to linking early years and maternity services, but it never agrees with or engages the specific claim that this connection pulls children out of poverty. |
| Does the Minister agree that connecting Sure Start services to maternity services pulls children out of poverty in former coalfield communities such as Ollerton, Blidworth, Rainworth and Clipstone? | Partially Addressed | Generic | The reply carries the same unaddressed poverty claim as item 2 and says nothing about the named coalfield communities of Ollerton, Blidworth, Rainworth and Clipstone, so the place-specific part of the question is not engaged at all. |