Welfare Food Scheme (Hansard, 28 October 2002)

We have today published proposals to reform the Welfare Food Scheme under the title Healthy Start.

The Welfare Food Scheme has done great service for the last 60 years in providing milk and vitamins, primarily to expectant and nursing mothers, babies and children under five years of age in low income families. In line with our commitment in The NHS Plan, we are seeking to bring the scheme up to date in line with the latest expert advice on nutrition. Our proposals for this £142 million scheme will broaden the nutritional base of the scheme and offer a wider choice to families. We propose to do this through the introduction of a fixed face value voucher that can be exchanged for fruit and vegetables, cereal-based foods, other foods suitable for weaning, as well as milk and infant formula. We are also proposing to line the scheme more closely with the National Health Service through ante-natal and post-natal clinics. The new scheme will provide a healthier start for children from poorer families and link with our wider efforts to tackle health inequalities, and improve nutrition and food access.

We are already working with the devolved administrations and actively seeking the views of interested parties and stakeholders on these proposals, including the users of the scheme, health professionals, the food and dairy industry and small firms. This consultation will run until 13 December.

Copies of the Healthy Start document are available in the Library and the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/healthystart.