The First 1000 Days: a renewed focus

Health and Social Care Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 21 Mar 2025 Parliament page
The first 1000 days of life, from conception to age two, are widely recognised as a critical period for child development, shaping long-term health, well-being, and life outcomes.The previous Committee examined this period in its 2019 First 1000 days of life inquiryconsidering national strategy, current spending and barriers to investment … Read more
18 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
3 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
28 Apr
2026
Correspondence
22 Apr
2026
Report published
22 Jan
2026
Report published
15 Oct
2025
Correspondence
3 Sep
2025
Oral evidence
2 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
2 Jul
2025
Correspondence
4 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
7 May
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
3 Sep 2025
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Oral Evidence
Ashley Dalton MP · Department of Health and Social Care Liz Ketch · Department of Health and Social Care Susie Owen · Department for Education
2 Jul 2025
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Oral Evidence
Anna Bird · Disabled Children's Partnership Dr Amit Aggarwal · Medical Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Dr Claire Fuller · NHS England Dr Doug Simkiss · Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Dr Helen Skirrow · Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London Dr Helen Stewart · The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Dr Sally Payne · Royal College of Occupational Therapists Jane Harris · Speech and Language UK Janet Cooper · Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
4 Jun 2025
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Oral Evidence
Alison Morton · Institute of Health Visiting Dr Christine Farquharson · Institute for Fiscal Studies Rachel Roberts · Hull City Council Rukshana Kapasi · Barnardos
7 May 2025
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Oral Evidence
Professor Sir Michael Marmot · University College London (UCL) Rt Hon Dame Andrea Leadsom DBE · Early Years Healthy Development Review
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - First 1000 days: a renewed focus HC 802 22 Jan 2026 26 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
12 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - First 1000 days: a re…
Commit to increasing mandatory health visitor contacts from five to six for children in England.
We recommend that the Government commit to increasing the number of mandatory health visitor contacts for children in England from five to six. To help it deliver this it should look at the approach that the devolved administrations have taken, … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects increasing the number of mandatory health visitor contacts, defending the existing five statutory reviews as occurring at crucial developmental points. It states that three additional contacts are recommended where possible, and that further improvements will be considered as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.
Department of Health and Social Care
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17 Conclusion Rejected
5th Report - First 1000 days: a re…
Government dropping 95% vaccination target from NHS guidance causes concern.
We are disappointed that the Government has dropped the 95% vaccination coverage target from NHS planning guidance and were unconvinced by the Minister’s arguments that it remained an “expectation” despite its removal. While we agree with the Government’s desire for … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the committee's premise by asserting that the 95% vaccination coverage target has not been dropped but remains an established NHS target, as evidenced in the NHS public health functions agreement 2025-26 and is included in planning guidance.
Department of Health and Social Care
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20 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - First 1000 days: a re…
Accelerate health visitor vaccination pilot programme and report findings within six months.
The plan for delivering vaccination by health visitors has real potential to help the Government achieve the 95% coverage vaccine target. We recommend the Government explore ways to accelerate the pilot programme and to report back on its findings within … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected accelerating the pilot programme or reporting findings within 6 months, stating they are conducting a 12-month evaluation of 12 pathfinder sites to gather robust evidence on operating models, cost implications, and support needs before wider rollout.
Department of Health and Social Care
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Government Response AI assessment · 26 of 18 classified
Accepted 6
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 5
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 6
Rejected 3
Total 18 recs + 8 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
28 Apr 2026 Correspondence from Minister Hodgson - First 1000 Days Response
Parliament page
15 Oct 2025 Correspondence from Minister Dalton re First 1000 days evidence session
Parliament page
2 Jul 2025 Correspondence from Minister Daby re the First 1000 Days
Parliament page