Expand and Update the Healthy Start Scheme
The Issue
Every child deserves access to healthy, nutritious food — but the Healthy Start Scheme ends at age four. Families still face the rising costs of milk, fruits, vegetables, and other essentials, yet support stops just when children need it most.
For many parents, the Healthy Start prepaid card is a vital lifeline. It helps buy milk, fresh fruit, vegetables, and infant formula — foods that build healthy bodies and habits. Without it, families can struggle to afford nutritious meals, which can affect children’s growth, health, and readiness for school.
Some facts:
- Nearly 20% of children in England are overweight by the time they start primary school (NHS Digital, 2020).
- Food prices have risen by around 26% over the past decade (ONS), but the value of the Healthy Start prepaid card hasn’t kept pace.
- Early access to nutritious food helps children concentrate, learn, and thrive — laying the foundation for lifelong health.
What we are asking the government to look into and consider:
- Extending eligibility so the scheme continues at least until children reach junior school age.
- Increasing the value of the Healthy Start prepaid card to match current food costs and inflation.
- Raising awareness and accessibility, ensuring all eligible families know about and can use the support easily.
- Evaluating the impact of the scheme on child nutrition, health outcomes, and long-term wellbeing.
Positive impact for children:
-Improved access to nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and milk.
-Better growth, physical health, and prevention of childhood obesity.
-Stronger concentration, learning, and school readiness.
-Establishing healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.
-Reducing inequalities so every child, regardless of family income, has a fair start in life.
All families deserve this help. By acting now, the government can ensure children grow strong, stay healthy, and start school ready to succeed. This is about more than food — it’s about equality, opportunity, and giving every child a fair chance.
👉 Sign the petition today to urge the government to improve the Healthy Start Scheme for every child.
44
The Issue
Every child deserves access to healthy, nutritious food — but the Healthy Start Scheme ends at age four. Families still face the rising costs of milk, fruits, vegetables, and other essentials, yet support stops just when children need it most.
For many parents, the Healthy Start prepaid card is a vital lifeline. It helps buy milk, fresh fruit, vegetables, and infant formula — foods that build healthy bodies and habits. Without it, families can struggle to afford nutritious meals, which can affect children’s growth, health, and readiness for school.
Some facts:
- Nearly 20% of children in England are overweight by the time they start primary school (NHS Digital, 2020).
- Food prices have risen by around 26% over the past decade (ONS), but the value of the Healthy Start prepaid card hasn’t kept pace.
- Early access to nutritious food helps children concentrate, learn, and thrive — laying the foundation for lifelong health.
What we are asking the government to look into and consider:
- Extending eligibility so the scheme continues at least until children reach junior school age.
- Increasing the value of the Healthy Start prepaid card to match current food costs and inflation.
- Raising awareness and accessibility, ensuring all eligible families know about and can use the support easily.
- Evaluating the impact of the scheme on child nutrition, health outcomes, and long-term wellbeing.
Positive impact for children:
-Improved access to nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and milk.
-Better growth, physical health, and prevention of childhood obesity.
-Stronger concentration, learning, and school readiness.
-Establishing healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.
-Reducing inequalities so every child, regardless of family income, has a fair start in life.
All families deserve this help. By acting now, the government can ensure children grow strong, stay healthy, and start school ready to succeed. This is about more than food — it’s about equality, opportunity, and giving every child a fair chance.
👉 Sign the petition today to urge the government to improve the Healthy Start Scheme for every child.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 10 June 2025