More than 80 campaigners call for urgent Healthy Start improvements

Anti-poverty campaigners and health organisations are urging the government to ensure pregnant women and those with babies and toddlers living in poverty receive the basic support they need for their children to grow up healthily.

The Food Foundation has co-ordinated a letter asking Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, to make essential improvements to the Healthy Start scheme as part of the upcoming Child Poverty Strategy.

Campaigners such as chef Tom Kerridge, medical bodies, NGOs and local government representatives are among the signatories.