Vulnerable children and families will receive better support after a new fund was created to improve how data is shared between partners.

The £7.9m data accelerator fund will enable 10 councils to share data with police forces, NHS services and schools to ensure help is provided at the right time.

Eddie Hughes, a minister at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: 'By local services sharing data, expertise and knowledge we can build a more complete picture of what is going on in a family's life and use this to put in place tailored, wraparound support at an early stage.

'This fund will give local areas the tools to identify and support vulnerable children and families as early as possible and help them to live more positive, fulfilling lives.'