Sir Desmond Swayne’s Landmark Bill on the 1,001 Critical Days - Private Members’ Bill
The 1001 Critical Days Foundation welcomes plans by Sir Desmond Swayne MP to introduce a landmark Private Members’ Bill to legislate specifically for the 1,001 critical days, the period from pregnancy to age two.
The proposed Infants, Parents and Carers Bill would place a duty on government to assess the needs of infants, parents, carers and prospective parents; commission and provide information and services to meet those needs; and report annually to Parliament on the results of better support from pregnancy to age two.
The proposed Bill would enshrine in law services provided by the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme as they relate to pregnancy to age two including midwifery checks and health visiting as well as support for parenting preparation, infant feeding, parental mental health, and parent-infant relationships.
This follows Sir Desmond’s success in the Private Members’ Bill ballot in the House of Commons. Private Members’ Bills have historically played a key role in shaping UK society, from legislation to abolish the death penalty, to the legalisation of abortion and the abolition of homosexuality as an offence, as well as more recent pieces of legislation such as the Autism Act.
Sir Desmond Swayne, Conservative MP for the New Forest West, said:
““I was rather surprised to win the ballot for the Private Members’ Bill. Having reflected on it, I realise this gives me an opportunity to propose a new law that is simple but will have a profoundly positive impact not only in this country but across the world.
“Last year the ballot winner chose a controversial Bill that divided the House. So I have deliberately chosen a Bill I believe will have support across the Houses and from all parties.
I am persuaded that creating in law a new focus on the best start in life for every baby has the potential to change outcomes for the better for millions of families.
“This was policy of the last Conservative government, and I know it is a policy supported by this Labour administration.
“I look forward to presenting and debating my Bill with the support of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, led by my erstwhile colleagues and former ministers Dame Andrea Leadsom and Will Quince.””