The government plans to expand family hubs across England, offering parents support with infant feeding, mental health and bonding with their babies. The Healthy Babies programme is intended to give children a better start in life by bringing services such as midwives, health visitors and other family support together in one place.

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to announce the plan at the Labour conference in Liverpool. It aims to reach up to 1,000 hubs by 2028 and restore Sure Start health services to every family centre. Sure Start began in 1998, combining early education, childcare, health and family support; its network was substantially reduced after 2010 following funding cuts.