The LGA has set out a five-point plan to improve the Government’s Healthy Start voucher scheme and increase take-up, as new analysis reveals that nearly 150,000 eligible families are currently missing out on them.
The vouchers are for pregnant women and families with children aged under four who are on benefits, and can be used to buy milk, infant formula, fruit, vegetables and pulses.
LGA analysis of NHS data suggests that, on average, those areas with higher overall levels of deprivation have lower take up of the vouchers.
The vouchers have also failed to reflect rises in food prices, with the cost of staple items such as milk and tomatoes rising from between 21 and 47 per cent since prices were set for the vouchers in April 2021.
The LGA is calling for an increase in the value of Healthy Start vouchers in line with inflation, an expansion of the scheme to include all families on universal credit and children who are aged five, and an easier registration system.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board said: “Every year millions of pounds of vital Healthy Start vouchers go unclaimed and families miss out on free fruit, vegetables and milk.
“At this challenging time of rising food prices and overall cost of living, we need government to ramp up efforts to ensure all eligible families can access healthy and nutritious food to give children and babies the best start in life.”
Councils are also calling for more up-to-date data on the vouchers, so they can better understand take-up rates in their areas and the impact of the transition to digital vouchers.