Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the decision was taken to not allow new parents on legacy benefits access to the Healthy Start scheme; and which Minister took that decision.

Legislation on eligibility for the Healthy Start scheme for pregnant women and families on legacy benefits was introduced in 2005 and 2008. In 2005, the Minister responsible for the legislation was the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, the former hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint). In 2008, the Minister responsible for the legislation was the Minister of State for Public Health, the former Rt hon. Member for Bristol South (Baroness Primarolo).

New parents, with children under four years old who were in receipt of adult-only legacy benefits were able to apply for Healthy Start through Child Tax Credit.

Those who are on legacy benefits and have a change in status such as a new child, would move to Universal Credit in order for their benefit claim to accommodate their change in status, and therefore will be eligible for the Healthy Start Scheme.