Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of training convenience store staff and managers on the (a) administration and (b) acceptance of NHS Healthy Start cards.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) runs the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Retailers do not need to register to be part of the Healthy Start scheme. Retailers can accept Healthy Start card payments where they sell eligible Healthy Start foods, and where their store accepts Mastercard. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/retailers/

The NHSBSA does not provide training for convenience store staff or managers. The NHSBSA provides a range of materials to help retailers promote the scheme and understand where the prepaid card is accepted. The NHSBSA provides a guide for retailers to explain how the scheme works, their role, and how to promote the scheme. A copy of this guide for retailers is attached.