has warned that more than 200,000 families could collectively be missing out on more than £880,000 per week due to low take-up of the Healthy Start scheme. The NHS scheme offers support to families with young children and pregnant women who are on a low income and receiving qualifying benefits. It can be used to buy healthy food such as milk, infant formula, and fruit and vegetables. Despite the benefits, the Healthy Start scheme's current take-up rate is just 63.9%, which is below the government’s target of 75% for March 2023. head of consumer rights and food policy, said: “The Healthy Start scheme has potential to help many hard-up families who are struggling with the unrelenting cost of living crisis and have had to skip meals or use food banks as a result.

Source: The Herald April 20, 2023 03:42 UTC