Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) local authorities to increase Healthy Start scheme uptake.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has regular discussions on the importance of improving children's health.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. The NHSBSA is committed to increasing uptake of the Healthy Start scheme as much as possible to ensure all children have a healthy start in life.

The NHSBSA actively promotes the Healthy Start scheme through its digital channels and has created free tools to help stakeholders promote the scheme at a local level. The NHSBSA constantly reviews these materials to ensure that the communications reach those that need support most. In May 2025, Healthy Start supported over 358,000 people.