MP Briefing: The Healthy Start Scheme and First Infant Formula

The Healthy Start scheme provides pregnant women or pre-school aged children in low-income households with a weekly payment to spend on healthy foods and infant formula.

During the cost of living crisis, the scheme has failed to keep up with inflation and price rises, with no standard tins of first infant formula affordable within the Healthy Start allowance. The scheme is therefore no longer able to guarantee basic nutritional needs of babies born in low income families

This briefing examines the issues and challenges surrounding Healthy Start and the price of infant formula during the cost of living crisis and suggests actions for the government and retailers.