In response to the 2024 Autumn Budget, Home-Start UK chief executive, Peter Grigg said:

“The Chancellor described the need for fixing foundations and beginning a decade of national renewal. For this to happen, we need a clear commitment to children at the heart of this renewal. The Budget makes some positive steps – such as a welcomed, but minimal, contribution to Family Hubs and important investment in SEND and childcare. However, with limited action on tackling child poverty, no mention of maternity care and uncertainty over ongoing Start for Life funding, this is not a baby-friendly budget. Also, the decision not to include an exemption for charities to the National Insurance Contribution changes will place another major strain on charities like Home-Starts. We hope that subsequent detail from Departments and the forthcoming Child Poverty Taskforce will prioritise early intervention and place children more clearly at the heart of our nation’s future.”

We welcome the continuation of funding for the 75 the Family Hub programme. However, we await more details of how local authorities can deliver existing Start for Life services.  This must be a stop gap until the Government is ready to mobilise a comprehensive, longer-term policy of its own. All families need and deserve support, and so this work must be extended into all local authorities.

The Government’s missions to “raise the healthiest generation of children ever” and “to break down barriers to opportunity for every child” will not be achieved without significant, long-term investment in the support systems that enable children and families to thrive.

It was incredibly disappointing that the opportunity was missed to take important immediate steps to reducing child poverty by failing to scrap the two-child limit and benefit cap, a change that has been estimated would lift thousands of children out of poverty.

As a country, we must go further both in investment in the early years and in reducing child poverty, if we are to improve opportunities for all children. Government spending on Early Years in the UK is also low compared to similar economies and currently, 31% of families with children aged 0-4 live in poverty due to high childcare costs, low pay, increasing living costs and inadequate social security.

Our experiences during early childhood shape the rest of our lives, and can have a profound impact on everything from our relationships, to our education and career prospects, to our physical and mental health. Investing in the early years not only creates healthier, happier childhoods, but has the potential to generate significant social and economic return for the UK over the longer term. The next generation needs this Government to invest in their futures now

Voluntary and community sector organisations, like Home-Starts, have shown that they can play a crucial role in supporting families and we welcomed the government’s announcement of a reset of how they work with the third sector. However, the environment for voluntary and community organisations remains incredibly challenging, and the decision not to include an exemption for charities to the National Insurance Contribution changes will place another major strain on charities like Home-Starts. The community and voluntary sector cannot be expected to fill the gaps in services without secure, stable and predictable funding to ensure that they can continue to provide reliable support for communities.