Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had recent discussions with representatives of Unicef on (a) its Baby Friendly initiative and (b) trends in breastfeeding rates in the UK.

I met with representatives from UNICEF in March 2024 to discuss the Start for Life agenda. Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme, we are investing £50 million into infant feeding services. This is enabling participating local authorities to design and deliver a blended offer to ensure all mothers can meet their breastfeeding goals. The investment is being used to increase the range of advice and support available, including peer support.

We are also investing to increase the capacity of the National Breastfeeding Helpline. In March 2024, we launched a trial of extended helpline opening hours, so that support and advice is available at any time of the day or night, every day of the year.