20 February 2004
Young children and pregnant women are to benefit from a healthy eating drive as part of government efforts to tackle increasing obesity.
Under an initiative, launched on February 16, families eligible for the Welfare Food Scheme will be given weekly vouchers they can exchange for fresh produce as well as milk.
The Department of Health estimates that up to 800,000 people will be helped. Families with children over a year old will receive vouchers worth at least £2.60 a week and those with young babies will be given vouchers worth at least £5.60. All pregnant women under the age of 18 will be eligible for the scheme, regardless of family income.
Health Secretary John Reid said it was the government's responsibility to provide people with the means to follow a healthy lifestyle. 'The best way of tackling obesity is through encouraging a healthy diet at an early age,' he said.
Kingston upon Hull City Council is also taking steps to promote good nutrition. It is to become the first council in the country to offer free breakfasts, lunches and fruit to all primary school pupils.
The £1.7m scheme has been given the go-ahead by schools minister David Miliband and awaits final parliamentary approval.
Council leader Colin Inglis said the programme should set standards for the rest of the country. 'Elsewhere in the world, tackling children's nutrition has had a dramatic effect on health and longevity,' he said. 'We also expect it will impact dramatically on levels of attendance and attainment in Hull schools.'
The Commons health select committee is to visit Finland to investigate what lessons can be learned from a similar scheme there.
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