Menu
16/02/2004
Poor children to gain from fruit and veg vouchers
Hundreds of thousands of parents will receive vouchers for free fruit and veg as part of a drive to encourage healthy eating habits and tackle obesity, it has been announced today.
The move is aimed at young children in poorer families, and will be worth at least £5.60 a week to families with children under one and at least £2.80 a week to those with children over one. Last week a report by doctors classed 9% of children aged between two and four years old as obese.
The changes come under reforms to the Welfare Food Scheme which supports some of the poorest pregnant women and families. Qualification for the scheme is based on factors like low income or receipt of tax credits.
Parents currently receive tokens only for liquid milk and infant formula milk. The tokens will be replaced with weekly vouchers that can be used to buy fresh produce as well as milk, and the scheme will expand to cover all pregnant women under the age of 18 - regardless of family income.
It is estimated that up to 800,000 people will benefit from these changes, which will be phased in from the end of the year.
Health Secretary John Reid said the government was "committed to tackling the rise in obesity".
He said: "The best way of tackling obesity is through encouraging a healthy diet at an early age. These changes mean that pregnant women, nursing mothers and younger children already benefiting from the scheme will in future have a greater choice of healthy eating options, so reducing the chances of obesity."
Reforms to the Welfare Food Scheme also mean that children in nursery will be offered a choice of milk or fruit, instead of just milk as currently happens.
(gmcg)
The move is aimed at young children in poorer families, and will be worth at least £5.60 a week to families with children under one and at least £2.80 a week to those with children over one. Last week a report by doctors classed 9% of children aged between two and four years old as obese.
The changes come under reforms to the Welfare Food Scheme which supports some of the poorest pregnant women and families. Qualification for the scheme is based on factors like low income or receipt of tax credits.
Parents currently receive tokens only for liquid milk and infant formula milk. The tokens will be replaced with weekly vouchers that can be used to buy fresh produce as well as milk, and the scheme will expand to cover all pregnant women under the age of 18 - regardless of family income.
It is estimated that up to 800,000 people will benefit from these changes, which will be phased in from the end of the year.
Health Secretary John Reid said the government was "committed to tackling the rise in obesity".
He said: "The best way of tackling obesity is through encouraging a healthy diet at an early age. These changes mean that pregnant women, nursing mothers and younger children already benefiting from the scheme will in future have a greater choice of healthy eating options, so reducing the chances of obesity."
Reforms to the Welfare Food Scheme also mean that children in nursery will be offered a choice of milk or fruit, instead of just milk as currently happens.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 August 2015
New Milk Brand To Pay Percentage Direct To Farmers
A new milk brand is to be launched that will pay 10 pence-per-litre of the retail price direct to dairy farmers. Launched by supermarket chain Morrisons, the new milk brand will go on sale later this year and is aimed at shoppers who want to directly support dairy farmers.
New Milk Brand To Pay Percentage Direct To Farmers
A new milk brand is to be launched that will pay 10 pence-per-litre of the retail price direct to dairy farmers. Launched by supermarket chain Morrisons, the new milk brand will go on sale later this year and is aimed at shoppers who want to directly support dairy farmers.
08 November 2005
Kids pedometer scheme bids to tackle obesity
Thousands of children in schools across England have been issued with pedometers, in a bid to tackle the problem of childhood obesity. Nearly 9,000 pupils, aged between nine and 14, in schools in areas such as Bradford, Oldham, Suffolk, Wolverhampton and Ipswich, have received the pedometers, which measure the number of steps taken by the wearer.
Kids pedometer scheme bids to tackle obesity
Thousands of children in schools across England have been issued with pedometers, in a bid to tackle the problem of childhood obesity. Nearly 9,000 pupils, aged between nine and 14, in schools in areas such as Bradford, Oldham, Suffolk, Wolverhampton and Ipswich, have received the pedometers, which measure the number of steps taken by the wearer.
17 April 2012
Supermarket Milk Supplier Announces Closures
Almost 500 jobs are at risk after supermarket milk supplier Daisy Crest announced plans to close two of its dairies. The proposed closures involve a glass bottling dairy at Aintree, Merseyside, which employs 220 people, and a site at Fenstanton in Cambridgeshire employing 250 people.
Supermarket Milk Supplier Announces Closures
Almost 500 jobs are at risk after supermarket milk supplier Daisy Crest announced plans to close two of its dairies. The proposed closures involve a glass bottling dairy at Aintree, Merseyside, which employs 220 people, and a site at Fenstanton in Cambridgeshire employing 250 people.
07 February 2008
Childhood Obesity 'In Genes'
Childhood obesity has more to do with genes than lifestyle, a recent report has claimed. The study of more than 5,000 pairs of twins aged eight to 11 showed that genes contributed 77% of the amount by which their body mass and waist circumference varied. Only 23% of the differences between the children was attributed to the home environment.
Childhood Obesity 'In Genes'
Childhood obesity has more to do with genes than lifestyle, a recent report has claimed. The study of more than 5,000 pairs of twins aged eight to 11 showed that genes contributed 77% of the amount by which their body mass and waist circumference varied. Only 23% of the differences between the children was attributed to the home environment.
04 September 2008
Obesity Plan Presented
Leading Scottish medical professionals have put forward a five point plan to tackle the growing problem of obesity. In advance of a debate on obesity in the Scottish Parliament today, BMA Scotland has called on politicians to take action on childhood obesity.
Obesity Plan Presented
Leading Scottish medical professionals have put forward a five point plan to tackle the growing problem of obesity. In advance of a debate on obesity in the Scottish Parliament today, BMA Scotland has called on politicians to take action on childhood obesity.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
