Our petition calls on the Governments of all four nations of the UK to implement a free first infant formula provision pathway via local pharmacies, available for families living in food poverty, women living with HIV or who have been advised to formula feed for other reasons, and for families with No Recourse to Public Funds.

Poverty is on the rise

Families in the UK are increasingly experiencing food poverty. Since 2010, foodbank usage has been increasing and, alarmingly, the Trussell Trust recently reported that in 2020 - 2021 over 830,000 food parcels were provided to children. The current cost of living crisis means things are likely to get worse.

Vulnerable babies are at risk

For families who are struggling, infant formula can be expensive, and not providing infant formula to formula fed babies in need puts babies in danger of malnutrition or dangerous infant feeding practices. 

While food and baby banks are a vital route of access to infant formula for families living in food poverty, they are not the answer, and we need long term solutions.

In May 2022 the results of our inquiry into formula provision at food banks provided a number of potential solutions to supporting families experiencing formula poverty, among them, a free formula provision scheme that would operate through local pharmacies.

In much the same way as the  Minor Ailments Service works in Scotland, local pharmacies could provide free first infant formula to families living in food poverty, women living with HIV (or who are advised to formula feed for other reasons), and to families with No Recourse to Public Funds.

A pharmacy provision pathway could meet the immediate need for food as well as ensuring families who need long term support can avail of this.

Please sign to support the development of a long term, NHS led solution to formula poverty, and make sure no babies go hungry due to lack of access to their main food source.