Campaign urges UK to expand Healthy Start scheme

A new campaign led by the Food Foundation reveals that 750,000 pregnant women and young children from low-income families are missing out on Healthy Start, a UK government nutrition program. This figure highlights a significant gap in support for vulnerable families, particularly in the face of rising living costs.

Over 100 organizations, including the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Feeding Britain, and Save the Children UK, are urging the government to expand the scheme’s eligibility. Notably, retailers like Sainsbury’s and Co-op have also joined this coalition, emphasizing the cross-sector support for this initiative.

Eligibility gap leaves families behind

Healthy Start, established in 2006, aims to help low-income families afford healthy foods during pregnancy and early childhood. However, strict rules exclude many in need. Only Universal Credit households with pregnant women, babies, or young children earning a monthly income of £408 (US$546) or less qualify, notes the charity. This threshold leaves many families just above the cutoff struggling to access essential nutrition.

Support ends when a child turns four, before they can access Free School Meals, creating a critical gap in assistance during early childhood. This discontinuity exacerbates food insecurity for families during a key developmental period.

Calls for expansion and investment

The campaign proposes expanding Healthy Start to all Universal Credit families and children under five. This move, they argue, could yield a £7.7 billion net return over 10 years, with benefits including reduced food insecurity and increased household income. The briefing estimates that this expansion would cost approximately £200 million (US$268 million), offering a significant return on investment of £2.36 (US$3.16) for every £1 spent.

Rising food costs strain families

UK food prices have surged by 39% since August 2021, forcing the poorest households to spend 85% of their disposable income on government-recommended diets. One in five low-income families with young children faces food insecurity, often cutting fruits and vegetables from their budgets. This trend has severe health implications, particularly for pregnant women and young children who require nutrient-rich diets for healthy development.