Early years commission: A cross-party manifesto

Early years commission
Published 8 July 2021
Topics Childcare , Education , Conservatives , Labour party , Economy

A new report from the Early Years Commission, jointly run by the Centre for Social Justice and the Fabian Society, puts forward a number of recommendations to transform the lives of our youngest children, including a significant shake up in parental leave rights and major support for the youngest children and their parents as part of the government’s ‘levelling up’ response post-Covid-19.

The Early Years Commission was co-chaired by Labour’s Sharon Hodgson MP and former Conservative minister for children and families, Edward Timpson CBE MP, and set up to explore how to improve services for children from conception to age five.

The manifesto also recommends:

Government works with local authorities to develop dedicated, locally-led parent support services in every community.
Building a holistic, cross-departmental strategy on the early years, led by a cabinet minister.
Rolling out children’s centres and family hubs across the country, prioritising disadvantaged areas
Supporting the professional development of early years practitioners.
Increasing compulsory interactions between children and health visitors.
Building more support for the professional development of those who work in early years.

Download now

Our publications

View All

Prescription for fairness

REMEDYING HEALTH INEQUALITIES IN A POST-COVID ERA

As we look to recover from the greatest public health crisis in a century, the need to tackle health inequalities has become even more critical and clear. This timely collection explores practical solutions for a future government committed to addres...

The road ahead

Keir Starmer MP

In this pamphlet, Labour leader Keir Starmer MP sets out his vision of a fairer, more secure and prosperous Britain, built on Labour values. He proposes 10 principles for a new contract between Labour and the British people, which together make up an...

Winning 150

UNDERSTANDING LABOUR’S TARGET SEATS

Labour must look beyond the Red Wall and its comfort zones to win the next election, finds Fabian Society research director Luke Raikes.

Fair to all

FINDINGS FROM THE FABIAN SOCIETY CITIZENS’ JURY ON THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Fabian Society research finds strong public backing for improved help when people who lose their job.

Security for everyone

The public case for non-means-tested benefits

This report examines the future of non-means-tested benefits for working-age adults and children.

Prizing the Public Pound

THE PROGRESSIVE CASE FOR RIGOROUS STEWARDSHIP OF PUBLIC MONEY

In this pamphlet, John Tizard and David Walker make the case for fundamental reform of the way spending decisions are made and checked. They argue that Labour should recover and celebrate its strong tradition of innovation in the mechanics of effecti...

Counter Culture

How to resist the culture wars and build 21st century solidarity

In this pamphlet, Kirsty McNeill and Roger Harding argue that we all have a role to play in denying the culture wars peddlers the fight they want. Instead of letting people distract or divide us, we should build a new solidarity strategy, with a posi...

Early years commission

A cross-party manifesto

STATUTORY SICK PAY

Options for reform

The statutory sick pay scheme has major problems that need to be addressed. Our latest report puts forward a number of recommendations for reform.

Going with the grain

HOW TO INCREASE SOCIAL SECURITY WITH PUBLIC SUPPORT

New Fabian Society research on public attitudes to social security reveals a groundswell of support for increasing benefit payments.

Hearts and minds

Winning the working-class vote

In this collection, Labour MPs look to the future, setting out what the party must do to regain the confidence of working people. Labour under Keir Starmer has made real progress in re-establishing a serious claim to be considered an alternative gove...

A voice for the future

HOW LABOUR CAN SHAPE THE NEXT 20 YEARS OF DEVOLUTION

A year-long research project by the Scottish Fabians and FEPS finds that devolution is at risk from 'no change' unionists, and 'no compromise' nationalists, and argues for Scottish Labour to reassert itself as pro-UK, pro-devolution and passionately ...

Building Bridges

Sally Gimson

In this pamphlet, Sally Gimson puts forward a range of policies to help Labour reconnect with voters and build a wide coalition across cities, towns and the countryside to defeat the Tories in 2024.

Who loses?

The impacts of planned Universal Credit cuts across society

New Fabian Society research finds that over 700,000 people in working or disabled households are to be pulled into poverty by universal credit cuts.

Sharing the Future

Summary

The final report of the two-year Commission on Workers and Technology calls for major reforms to improve work, empower workers, and ensure the whole economy can benefit from new technology.

Join the Fabian Society today and help shape the future of the left

You’ll receive the quarterly Fabian Review and at least four reports or pamphlets each year sent to your door

Be a part of the debate at Fabian conferences and events and join one of our network of local Fabian societies

Join the Fabian Society

Be the first to know

Sign up to the free Fabian Society newsletter

Find out about the latest Fabian Society research, publications and events with our regular updates

Fabian Society