Quick Bites: Why are so many families missing out on Healthy Start?

Labour MP for South Shields, Emma Lewes-Buck tells us why she introduced a Bill for a Healthy Start scheme this week to encourage auto-enrolment to the Government initiative.

The NHS Healthy Start scheme is considered a lifeline for pregnant women and families with young children, providing vital access to fruit and vegetables, milk and vitamins. But more than 200,000 babies and young children in England are missing out on this nutritional safety net, with uptake rates are as low as 50% in some areas. Food poverty levels have almost doubled since last year and rising food inflation has particularly impacted products such as milk, vegetables, and baby formula.

It is vital the Government acts now to ensure every child has access to healthy, nutritious meals. That's why the Food Foundation joined has joined a cross-party group of MPs and health campaigners from 27 organisations in writing to Health Secretary Steve Barclay urging him to automatically enrol all families to Healthy Start.

For more information and to read Emma's letter to the Secretary of State, click here

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