Food Poverty: Women
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide additional financial support to low-income women experiencing food insecurity during pregnancy and the postnatal period, beyond existing maternity and low-income support schemes.
Answered by Mrs Sharon Hodgson
In April 2026, the Department increased the financial support provided by Healthy Start for pregnant women and children under four on very low incomes. The weekly value increased by 10% to £4.65 for pregnant women and children over one and under four years old, and to £9.30 for children under one year old. This uplift will boost the ability to buy fruit and vegetables for those families who need it the most.
The Government also provides financial support to low-income families through the Sure Start Maternity Grant as a one-off grant of £500 to help parents with the costs of a new baby, or babies in the event of a multiple birth, expected, born, adopted, or the subject of a parental or residence order or other similar arrangements.
For this reason, there are no current plans to provide additional financial support.
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