England is set to expand its Healthy Babies programme to every local authority, bringing a wider package of support for parents, babies and young children through family hubs.

The programme is designed to provide families with access to infant feeding advice, parent mental-health support, bonding activities, health visiting and midwifery services. The expansion is intended to strengthen early-years health support, particularly in areas facing greater levels of deprivation.

The government plans to integrate Healthy Babies services into up to 1,000 family hubs by April 2027, backed by a reported £500 million investment. More than half of local authorities with family hubs currently do not have Healthy Babies services.

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the expansion during the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, presenting the programme as part of a broader effort to improve support during pregnancy, infancy and the early years.

The initiative will place greater emphasis on early intervention and joined-up family support, allowing parents to access multiple services through community-based hubs rather than relying solely on individual healthcare appointments.

The expansion comes as policymakers continue to focus on reducing health inequalities among children and improving support for families during the crucial first years of a child’s life.