Strengthening the Healthy Start Scheme to protect children’s health

Drawing on recent research and lived experience case studies, this briefing provides evidence for the health benefits of the Healthy Start scheme, and why the scheme urgently needs improving to support this Government’s aim of raising the healthiest generation of children ever.

It provides very low-income pregnant women, teenagers and young children with access to healthy food, but has been neglected in recent years. The value of payments have fallen behind rising food costs, eligibility is very restricted and a lack of promotion means its failing to reach the families who need it.

We’re calling on the Government to take urgent steps to strengthen the scheme including:

* Increasing the value of the Healthy Start payments

* Expanding eligibility of the Healthy Start scheme

* Ensuring no eligible family misses out

* Support the scheme to meet its nutrition objectives