On Thursday I gave a speech at De Montfort University about how we can make sure very child has the chance to fulfil their potential.

Despite very real improvements over the last decade, too many children are still held back by the circumstances of their birth – by where they’re born, not their potential to achieve. This harms their own life chances and choices, and our wider economy and society – as people’s skills and talents are held back, neglected or lost.

There is now clear evidence that the very earliest years of life are crucial to shaping children’s later opportunities. Experience from other countries shows that investing in high quality early years services can transform opportunities and save money in the long run.

You can read the full speech here.