Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to (a) help ensure that mothers have adequate supplies of formula milk where they are unable to breastfeed and (b) prevent baby milk products from being watered down in the context of the cost of living crisis.
Answer
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is not aware of any availability issues with infant formula.
We continue to monitor food prices using the Office for National Statistics (ONS) inflation figures. Recent pressures have been sustained and we have seen food price inflation continue to rise to 16.9% in December 2022, up from 16.5% in November 2022.
Through regular engagement, DEFRA will continue to work with food retailers and producers to explore the range of measures they can take to ensure the availability of affordable food. For example, by maintaining value ranges, price matching and price freezing measures.
The government understands that people are worried about the cost of living. That’s why decisive action has been taken to support households across the UK, whilst remaining fiscally responsible.
This action taken by the government means that over 8 million of the most vulnerable households across the UK will continue to be supported through next winter via additional £900 Cost of Living Payments to households on means-tested benefits, with additional support for pensioner households and individuals on disability benefits. This is in addition to the Cost of Living payments already made to these households this year.
The government is continuing to provide support to all households through the Energy Price Guarantee, which will save the average UK household £500 in 2023-24. This is in addition to the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme and £150 Council Tax rebate. Moreover, the government is extending the Household Support Fund in England for a further year, with £1bn additional funding (including funding for the Devolved Administrations via the Barnett Formula). The Fund will continue to support the most vulnerable households with the cost of food, energy and other essentials.
The Healthy Start scheme helps to encourage a healthy diet for pregnant women, babies and children aged under four from low-income households. Pregnant women and children aged under four and over one each receive £4.25 every week, and children aged under one each receive £8.50 every week. Healthy Start can be used to buy, or be put towards the cost of, fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried and tinned pulses, plain cow’s milk and infant formula. Healthy Start beneficiaries are also eligible for free Healthy Start Vitamins.
We are continuing to keep the situation under review and focus support on the most vulnerable whilst ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.
Infant formula must be prepared in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The NHS website contains step by step guidance on making up infant formula safely which includes advice to follow the manufacturers’ instructions closely and double check that the water level is correct and that the appropriate amount of formula powder has been added.
The full guide can be viewed at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/making-up-baby-formula/