Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to maximise the take-up of Healthy Start vouchers.

The Healthy Start Issuing Unit contacts families who are newly eligible for the scheme with an invitation to apply and an application leaflet. A reminder letter with another copy of the application form is issued if an application has not been received after six weeks. We publicise the scheme via the Healthy Start website and Start 4 Life provide a texting service reminding potential beneficiaries to take up the vouchers. Midwives and health visitors play a key role at a local level in promoting awareness of the scheme and we continue to look for other opportunities to promote the scheme.

The Department is also planning to explore how digital technology could make it easier to receive Healthy Start benefits in the future as part of the Government’s wider digital strategy.