Campaigners Raise Alarm on Help for Low-Income Families

Crucial data regarding low-income families and pregnant women receiving assistance with food and vitamins has been removed from the NHS website, prompting concerns from political figures and advocacy groups. The Co-operative Party has highlighted the lack of transparency, stating that the absence of this data since January 2023 makes it difficult to assess how many eligible families are benefiting from the Healthy Start scheme. This situation raises alarms about the potential for low uptake, particularly in regions of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland where such issues have persisted. Joe Fortune, General Secretary of the Co-operative Party, expressed his worries in a letter to Labour MP Wes Streeting, emphasizing that the removal of these statistics could exacerbate existing challenges in accessing vital support. The party criticized the Conservative government for failing to ensure the scheme reaches its full potential, leaving many families without necessary assistance during a time of rising living costs. In response, a government spokesperson reaffirmed the importance of the Healthy Start scheme, which aims to support families on very low incomes with healthy food costs. They acknowledged the data issue, stating that while families can still access the program, the publication of uptake figures has been temporarily paused to rectify the error. The situation underscores the need for accurate and reliable data to effectively promote and enhance the uptake of essential support programs for vulnerable families.