Lynn Perry, Barnardo’s Chief Executive said:
“From their very first breath, every child deserves the best possible start in life. We welcome the government's renewed focus on early years - especially the commitment to a Healthy Babies programme within family hubs, following the principles of Sure Start, which will provide parents with access to vital services when they need it most.
“But no single department or service can improve children’s health alone. Instead, we need coordinated action across government to address the wider factors shaping children’s health and wellbeing, such as poverty, poor housing, or food insecurity.
“That’s why we’re calling on the government to publish a Child Health Action Plan, setting out a clear vision for creating the healthiest generation of children ever. We want to see measurable outcomes against which progress can be tracked, and the action required across government and public services to deliver it. This will help to make sure every child can grow up safer, healthier, happier and more hopeful.”