Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to affordable, healthy food for low-income households.

The Healthy Start Scheme helps to encourage a healthy diet for pregnant women, babies, and young children under four years old from very low-income households. In April 2026 the value of the weekly payments increased by 10%. Pregnant women and children aged over one and under four years old will each receive £4.65 per week, up from £4.25, and children under one years old will each receive £9.30 per week, up from £8.50. Further information on The Eatwell Guide and the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme guide are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guide

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69cd4890b5210036050bc6b2/Withdrawn_-_Family_Hubs_Service_Expectations_2025-2026.pdf