This is the government response to the Health and Social Care Select Committee’s report First 1000 days of life.

The Government wants children to get the best start in life, recognising the lasting impact this has on health outcomes and life chances. There is strong evidence of the importance of the first 1000 days of life: it is an important period for brain development, impacting a child’s social and emotional resilience in later life, and for ensuring children start school ready to learn. The transition to parenthood is a key opportunity to provide good information and support to adults on the importance of the child’s first months and early years.