51 m. ago To those who question what Labour stands for – look at Best Start. It will change Britain’s future | Polly Toynbee

Sure Start was New Labour’s finest achievement, and the Tories destroyed it. Now it’s back with a mission to put children at the heart of everythingThey hunt high and low for Labour’s missing message, vision, purpose or identity. Well, here it is, where it always was, in the future of children. It’s what Labour does best, what it is for: building a society where children come first and everything else falls into place. The foundations have now been laid by Bridget Phillipson by finally bringing back Sure Start to England – the most successful achievement of the last Labour government – now rebranded as Best Start family hubs.It’s a pity about the new name, but young parents recognise “hubs”, whereas Sure Start is largely gone and forgotten. Its uprooting began the day Michael Gove arrived as education secretary in 2010. He entered the “Department for Children, Schools and Families” – a name chosen to reflect the awareness that children don’t learn without wraparound care for their w...

Politics

14 h. ago Revealed: Baby names at risk of extinction in the UK as royal

The baby names that are rapidly falling out of favour with new parents in the UK in 2025 have been revealed - with a once-popular royal moniker becoming obsolete.

Events

69 h. ago Five vintage girl names from the 1950s that are making a comeback and one is Scottish

Scots parents looking for a traditional name or one harking back to the 'Fabulous Fifties' should look no further

Politics

3 d. ago Alarming baby name trend on the rise as parents unwittingly inspired by true crime are giving newborns the same monikers as famous murderers

Popular culture has a bigger influence on baby names than we might realise, but one particular genre has been unexpectedly providing new parents with inspiration.

Events

6 d. ago Parents accidentally picking serial killer names for their babies

Baby naming experts say dark popular culture is quietly influencing the top baby names of 2025

Events

2 w. ago Real Housewife of Cheshire Ampika Pickston believes she has been 'made a scapegoat' after her children's home was shut down due to 'widespread safeguarding failures'

The mum-of-one, 43, fears that bosses with Housewives' parent company NBCUniversal will give her the chop after her 'name was dragged through the mud' during the lengthy legal battle.

Society

3 w. ago 'I offer perfect girlfriend experience for rich blokes but my parents call me names'

JUST JANE: Today our agony aunt Jane O'Gorman is dealing with a new issue from a Daily Star reader who is at odds with her family

Politics

3 w. ago Some dad names are dying out and it's bad news for Craig and Gary

Not all baby names from the 1970s and 1980s have fallen out of favour

Events

3 w. ago Why more and more parents are becoming secretive about their baby name choices

Have you noticed pregnant friends or family members quickly shutting down any questions about what they might call their new arrival? Katie Rosseinsky speaks to experts and expectant mothers to unpick this phenomenon

Society

3 w. ago Teacher criticises parents for choosing 'worst' child name she's ever heard

An educator has taken to social media to share the 'worst' child's name she's ever heard while working at schools - and it's all thanks to the child's misbehaviour

Society