The value of the Healthy Start scheme needs to increase by 20 per
cent to compensate for increases in the cost of food, new Local
Government Association (LGA) analysis has found.
The value of the scheme, which helps pregnant women or families
with children under the age of four with the cost of food and
milk, was last reviewed in 2020.
Latest analysis by the LGA of food inflation has found that:
- The support for families with a baby under the age of one
should rise from £8.50 per week to £10.47 a week, with councils
warning that the current scheme does not meet the average price
of any available first infant formula milk.
- The support for families with a baby between the ages of one
and four should rise from £4.25 to £5.24 a week.
The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, is
asking for the Government to use the upcoming Autumn Statement to
uplift the value of Healthy Start in line with current inflation
and commit to review the value of the scheme every six months.
Latest figures show that out of those eligible for Healthy Start
in England, 70 per cent have taken up the scheme. This is a 7 per
cent increase from the start of the year thanks to the hard work
of councils and partners to promote it in their
communities.
However, 141,970 eligible pregnant women, babies and infants
missed out on the scheme in October 2023 alone, equivalent to the
entire population of Blackpool.
New LGA analysis shows that it is those families who have less
confidence managing money or those who cannot speak English well
or at all who are less likely to be taking advantage of Healthy
Start.
The analysis also shows that councils across the country have
worked hard to drive up uptake in areas with a higher percentage
of lone parents not in employment as well as driving an increase
in those with long term disabilities taking up the scheme.
The LGA is asking for the Government to expand access to this
scheme to include all children who are facing food insecurity and
poverty, which would help in addressing diet related inequalities
resulting from low-incomes.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing
Board said:
“Healthy Start is a vitally important programme which has helped
families get access to healthy and affordable food since it was
established nearly 20 years ago.
“However, the scheme has not kept pace with rising food inflation
and does not fully meet the value of essential items such as baby
formula.
“We are asking the Government to consider using the Autumn
Statement to uplift the value of the scheme to bring it in line
with inflation and review every six months.
“This is an essential way of ensuring the neediest babies,
children and pregnant people get the nutrients they need.”
Notes to editors
The LGA’s Autumn Statement
submission warns that councils in England face a funding gap
of £4 billion over the next two years. In its submission to the
Chancellor, the LGA said the Government needs to provide
immediate funding so councils can deliver the 2023/24 budgets
they set this year and ensure that councils have sufficient
resources to set balanced budgets next year without having to
make drastic cuts to services.
It is accompanied by appendices on key areas of council activity
that are experiencing sharp financial and/or demand pressures
(adult social care, children’s services and housing and
homelessness support).
