Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to promote the benefits of breast feeding to new mothers.

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and to giving every child the best start in life. We want every parent to understand the benefits of breastfeeding so that they can make informed decisions about how to feed their baby.

Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, we are investing £18.5 million in 2025/26 to improve infant feeding support across 75 local authorities in England. This includes promoting the benefits of breastfeeding and supporting families to achieve their infant feeding goals. The Start for Life communications programme also promotes the benefits of breastfeeding via a website, email, and public awareness campaign.

Most families will receive advice on the benefits of breastfeeding and support from midwives and health visitors. We are committed to strengthening these services and are already making progress.