Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make funding for the National Breastfeeding Helpline's overnight service permanent.

Breastfeeding has significant benefits for both mothers and babies and it’s important that families are supported to meet their infant feeding goals.

The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme has funded the expansion of the National Breastfeeding Helpline, helping families across the country to access virtual breastfeeding support. This includes a pilot of the night-time service from March 2024, ensuring help is available at all times of the day and night, every day of the year.

The night service pilot is currently funded to run until the end of March 2025, and we will independently evaluate the pilot to inform future decisions on funding for this service.