The Isle of Wight Council is to receive additional funding as part of a new Government initiative which aims to support families.

The local authority is one of 14 to be selected in the Department for Education's Trailblazers Scheme, for Family Hubs and Start of Life Programmes.

MP Bob Seely, who has helped to get the Isle of Wight included in the project, has said the Island will act as a national leader for the rollout.

It will focus on perinatal mental health, parent-infant relationships, infant feeding and parent support.

Bob Seely MP said: "I’m pleased the Island is included in the trailblazers scheme. This is important for two reasons: First, it’s important to support families bringing up young children; our early years are formative, and parents should have access to the help they need to give their child the best start in life.

"Second, I'm always keen for the Island to be first in the queue for funding.

"I’m glad we’ve been recognised as a leader and it’s great that we will see improvements to our services both first and fastest."

Mr Seely said the scheme will help to ensure the Island makes fast improvements to services.

The Island - alongside other local authorities selected for the scheme - will receive up to an additional £183,000 to deliver extra services in year one of the schemes' rollout (2022/23). 

The Island will also get support from the Department for Health and Social Care, the Department for Education and the National Centre for Family Hubs.

This news forms part of the Government's Family Hub announcement, promising £301.75m for Family Hubs and the Start of Life programme.