Torbay to get cash for families

One of 75 areas to share £302 million

Torbay is to be one of 75 areas in England to get new hubs for families to get access to childcare, mental health services, housing advice, and employment.

The government says it's part of a levelling up programme and fulfils one of the Conservative's election manifesto promises to boost the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.

It hasn't said how much cash is coming Torbay's way, but the whole scheme is worth £302 million, which means an average of £4 million for the 75 areas involved.

The area's MP, Tory Kevin Foster, who is a minister in the Home Office, is naturally pleased about it.

He represents an area where the council is run by a coalition of Liberal Democract and independent councillors and where his majority of 17,749. 

The new families' hub money isn't the first major investment to come into Torbay recently. The government has stumped up £22 million as part of the  towns fund, part of its levelling up scheme.

Of the new families' hub cash, Mr Foster said: “It is vital families across England have access to the same high-quality services to support them and their children’s development, wherever they live.

"I welcome the new family hub for Torbay as part of the £302 million Start for Life investment, which will improve access to childcare, mental health services, housing advice and employment, for local families who need them most.”