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Calling for a Best Start Family Hub in Newcastle‑under‑Lyme

  • 1 hour ago
  • 2 min read

In October last year, following the announcement of £262,449 in Government funding for Best Start Family Hubs, I wrote to Staffordshire County Council’s then Leader, Cllr Ian Cooper, to welcome the investment and to seek clarity on how it would be used to support families in Newcastle‑under‑Lyme.


After a recent visit to The Peter Pan Centre with Education Minister Georgia Gould MP – seeing strong early years and SEND practice and hearing directly from parents about the barriers they still face in getting timely, joined‑up support – I am renewing my call for a Best Start Family Hub in Newcastle‑under‑Lyme.


Today, I have written to Cllr Martin Murray, the New Leader of Staffordshire County Council, and Cllr Nick Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, asking for clarity on how the £262,449 allocation is being used and how the Council’s plans will ensure that parents and children in the early years in Newcastle‑under‑Lyme can access the support they need – including whether a Hub in the constituency is being actively considered.


Early years support changes life chances – particularly for children with SEND. Whilst we have excellent practice locally at Peter Pan Centre, too many families struggle to access help when they need it. A Best Start Family Hub would bring services together and make a practical difference for families in Newcastle‑under‑Lyme.


I will continue to press the County Council to ensure this funding is used transparently and effectively – and that families here get the joined‑up early years support they deserve.


Full letter (17 March 2026)


Previous correspondence (15 October 2025)

Below is my earlier letter to the then Leader, Cllr Ian Cooper, sent following the Government’s funding announcement:


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