Responding to the publication of the Government’s Child Poverty Strategy, Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:
 
“We welcome the commitment to deliver a network of Best Start Family Hubs across England. There is evidence that the Sure Start programme of the 2000’s, on which this is based, was highly successful in achieving significant positive impacts on children's long-term health and educational outcomes, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“It is our experience that the multi-agency approach that the hubs will adopt has a proven track record of success and is one which schools found highly beneficial.

“We remain concerned about whether the plans for expanded breakfast clubs and early years provision will be adequately funded and resourced to deliver maximum benefits for children and families.

“To make a real difference to raising children and families out of poverty, provision needs to be of high-quality and resourced with suitable levels of qualified staff. Trading off quality for capacity in the early years sector, for example, will do little to achieve long-lasting improvements in the lives of our poorest children.”