Thousands of low-income families in North East missing out on NHS food support

Thousands of families in the North East and Cumbria are failing to claim weekly NHS payments designed to help them buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and milk, despite being eligible for the support. New data indicates that take-up rates for the Healthy Start scheme have dropped as low as 64% in certain areas, leaving many households without crucial financial assistance during a period of rising food costs.

Low take-up rates in specific regions

The NHS Healthy Start scheme provides weekly payments to families on lower incomes who have young children or are pregnant. Eligible families earning less than £400 a week can receive £4.65 per week for children under four, while those with babies under 12 months can claim £9.30 weekly. These funds are intended to cover the cost of healthy food and milk.

However, recent figures from 2022 reveal significant disparities in enrollment across the region. While Redcar and Cleveland Council recorded the highest participation with 87% of entitled families claiming the payments, other areas lagged significantly. In the former Eden Council area, only 64% of eligible families were enrolled, and the figure was 68% in the former Copeland Council area.

Take-up was also below average in Sunderland and Stockton, where 81% of eligible families claimed the support. Newcastle and Middlesbrough reported even lower figures, with just 77% of entitled individuals receiving the payments. Across the broader region, this gap means that 6,149 eligible families are currently missing out on the financial aid.

Charities warn of deepening poverty

Feeding Britain, a charity based in Newcastle that supports some of the most deprived families in the North East, has raised concerns about the impact of these low take-up rates. The organization argues that with food prices continuing to rise, every available layer of protection is necessary for families on the lowest incomes.

Penny Walters, who works for Feeding Britain, criticized the current value of the payments, stating that they do not keep pace with inflation. She noted that the weekly amount of £4.65 is insufficient for meaningful purchases. "£4.65 - what can you buy with that?" she asked. "If you've got a baby you get £9.30 and you can buy one tin of formula with that. But how many tins have you got to go through a week with a baby? It's worthless."

Walters highlighted the stark reality of poverty in the region, citing a recent case of a malnourished baby admitted to a hospital in Newcastle. She revealed that the mother could only afford to give the infant sugar water, a situation she described as unacceptable in modern Britain. "That's not right. We're not in Dickensian England. Where was the support? Why is this happening?" she said.

Personal struggles with food costs

Local residents have shared their own experiences of financial strain, even if they do not qualify for the scheme. Amelia, a mother from Sunderland with a two-year-old son, said she understood the difficulty families face in affording basic necessities. She described the cost of feeding a family as "ridiculous," noting that expenses extend beyond food to include nappies, wipes, and social activities.

To manage their budget, Amelia and her partner have adopted strategies such as batch cooking and eating the same meals as their child. Amy, another working mother with a toddler, shared that the cost of formula was a significant burden, as tins rarely went on promotion. She admitted to often eating less herself to ensure her son had enough food.

Call for automatic enrollment

Several national charities, including Sustain, The Food Foundation, and Feeding Britain, are urging the government to update the Healthy Start scheme. Andrew Forsey, the director of Feeding Britain, proposed that the government should implement an auto-enrollment system for eligible families. He argued that the state has the data and technology required to register parents automatically, which would reduce the administrative burden on households.

"Given the increases in food prices that are coming our way in the months ahead we need every layer of protection possible for families on the lowest incomes," Forsey said. He emphasized that automatic registration would help ensure that the support reaches those who need it most without requiring complex applications from stressed parents.

Political response and data gaps

Emma Lewell, the Labour MP for South Shields, has been campaigning to ensure that unclaimed funds do not simply return to the Treasury. She described the situation as a "no brainer," arguing that the money is already allocated but is not reaching the people who need it. "The government has it, it's not going to the people who need it and there's things we can do to make sure it does, but they're not being done," she stated.

Charities are also calling on the Department for Health and Social Care to release updated enrollment figures. The NHS stopped publishing this data in January 2023 after an inaccuracy was discovered, a gap that has not yet been rectified. This lack of current data prevents local authorities and charities from accurately tracking who is missing out on the support. The Department for Health and Social Care and the government have been approached for comment on these issues.