Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what initiatives are (1) in place, and (2) planned, to provide advice for families of pre-school aged children about healthy eating and nutrition.

Last October, the first Best Start in Life campaign was launched, tackling the confusion and pressure facing parents in the early years by providing trusted, expert information to give every child the best start in life. The joint Department of Health and Social Care and Department for Education campaign provides National Health Service backed advice and guidance on a wide range of topics, including infant feeding, and weaning and directs parents to the Best Start in Life website for support on how to feed their baby.

Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, local authorities are expected to connect a range of services through Family Hubs, including nutrition and weight management services. Staff in the family hub should be able to raise the topic of weight management with families and should be aware of what services are available and be able to connect families to them.

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 will increase 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.

The funding for Healthy Start can be used to buy, or be put towards the cost of, fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried, and tinned pulses, milk, and infant formula. Healthy Start beneficiaries are also eligible for free Healthy Start Vitamins.