British politicians unite to support the early years

ABOVE: Dame Andrea Leadsom speaks at the 1001 Critical Days Foundation event held at the UK Parliament (Picture: Stewart Turkington)

Early years champions and leaders from across the political divide came together at the UK Parliament to mark the importance of the 1001 days that shape a child’s lifetime.

They attended an event hosted by the 1001 Critical Days Foundation to mark its first year of championing the best start in life for every child.

From pregnancy to the age of two, the building blocks for lifelong health, learning and wellbeing are set in place. With this in mind, the foundation was launched by former government minister Dame Andrea Leadsom to speak up for babies and young children in the UK and around the world.

At the event, she reinforced that this is an issue everyone can get behind, regardless of their political affiliation. She added: “This is a cross-party agenda. We are all on the same side here.”

The anniversary event in London was also attended by many sector leaders, academics and charity partners of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, which provides grants for charities and research as well as advocating for best practice around the world.

MP Sharon Hodgson is co-chair of the cross-party Early Years Commission and former shadow minister for children and families. She said: “I hope that we seize this opportunity to build this cross-party consensus on early years, as this issue is far, far too important to ever be used as a political football.”

The early years is when inequality sets in. Evidence shows that children who access pre-primary education are more likely to thrive in school, develop stronger social and emotional skills, and build foundations that benefit them throughout their lives.

Lord David Blunkett, a former education secretary and Patron of the foundation, said: “We’re here because we really care. We care about what you’re doing, we care about the cause and we’re critically committed to making it work for the future.”

Will Quince, Chief Executive of the foundation and a former government minister for the early years, told those gathered at the event that there was one common theme. He said: “You share our vision of building a better world for babies. We’ve got great plans but we have even greater ambitions. This is a mission and we are all totally committed to it.”