A bill brought forward by a Christian MP to strengthen early childhood support has moved a step closer to becoming law.
Sir Desmond Swayne’s Infants, Parents and Carers Bill passed second reading without opposition in the House of Commons on Friday. He won first place in the ballot for a Private Members Bill (PMB), which allows backbenchers to bring forward their own legislation.
The Conservative MP for New Forest West has decided to focus on support for families during their child’s first 1,001 days. Provision of services like Best Start Family Hubs and the Start for Life programme would become a statutory duty for the government, if the bill were to pass. It aims to make health advice, parenting help, and early years services easier to access during pregnancy and in a child’s first years.
Revealing details of the bill in June, he told Premier Christian News: “The first 1,001 critical days of a child's life are hugely important and determine so much of their life chances later. It's in those times that parents and carers face enormous pressures.”
He also highlighted the role of churches and faith-based organisations in supporting families, especially in areas without family hubs, and he would consider examining their role in the legislation.
Minister Dame Dianna Johnson confirmed the government’s support during the debate. Sir Desmond said the government’s whips office had been “extraordinarily helpful” in assisting preparation for the bill.
He told the chamber: “If we want a better future, we need to start by provision of services to babies today. It is vital that those services are available in l that critical period of 1,001 days from pregnancy through to 2 years old. If children are confident that they are safe, that they are responded to properly by adults, they will build relationships, they will be healthy, they will have language development, and their future learning will be assured.
“If those services aren't available, if problems arise and are not addressed, then there will be problems with speech, problems with relationships, and problems with development later.”
The bill will now go to a committee and report stage, before a third and final reading by the Commons. Then, it will move to the House of Lords.
Sir Desmond decided not to revisit the issue of assisted dying, which was brought forward as a PMB in the last parliamentary session. But Labour MP Lauren Edwards, who came second in the ballot, has reintroduced the bill for debate next Friday.