Early years funding in England
An overview of early years funding in England since 2017-18 and Government plans for reform.

Summary of Government proposals for reform of children's social care in England.
Government proposals for children's social care reform (555 KB , PDF)
On 2 February 2023, the Government published an implementation strategy and consultation on reforming children’s social care in England: Stable Homes, Built on Love.
The strategy is based on, and forms the Government’s response to, three independent reports published in 2022:
The strategy says children’s social care in England needs to be rebalanced “away from costly crisis intervention to more meaningful and effective help for families.” It says the Government will reform in phases:
The strategy sets out that the Government will provide over £45 million to launch a ‘Families First for Children Pathfinder’ programme in up to 12 local areas in England over the next two years. The first wave of pathfinders, in three areas, will be launched in September 2023. The pathfinders will test:
The Government’s other proposals range across children’s social care and include:
Alongside the strategy, the Government also published a consultation on whether to set national rules on the use of agency social workers, including potential price caps.
Aspects of the Government’s reform proposals received a broad welcome, but some stakeholders raised concerns that the proposals amounted to a “piecemeal approach” rather than the required whole-system reset.
In response, the Government said it is taking a “test and learn” approach and the strategy marks “the start of the journey.”
The consultation on the strategy, and the associated consultations on agency social workers and a children’s social care national framework, closed on 11 May 2023. The Government has said it will respond in September 2023.
Government proposals for children's social care reform (555 KB , PDF)
An overview of early years funding in England since 2017-18 and Government plans for reform.
A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 4.30pm on 12 December on public sector food procurement and healthy eating. The debate will be opened by Anthony Mangnall MP.
There will be a Backbench Business Committee debate on the provision of auditory verbal therapy taking place in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 12 December at 9:30am. The debate will be led by Sally-Ann Hart MP.