Written question asked by Simon Burns (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 September 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 8 September 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures his Department is taking to improve people's diets, with special reference to people living in socially deprived areas. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to improve people's diets, with special reference to people living in socially deprived areas. [127453] Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health, working with the Food Standards Agency and other partners, is taking a range of measures to improve people's diets. The following measures specifically relate to deprivation. The lottery-funded New Opportunities Fund is providing £10 million over two years to support "Five- a Day" community initiatives led in 66 of the most deprived primary care trusts. These aim to increase access to fruit and vegetables and awareness of the health benefits of eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day. The "NHS Priorities and Planning Framework 2003-06" sets a target to increase breastfeeding initiation rates by two percentage points a year, focussing especially on women from disadvantaged groups. The Welfare Food Scheme provides free milk and vitamins to over 700,000 pregnant women, mothers and young children. It is primarily targeted at low income families. The Department plans to reform the scheme by 2004 by broadening its nutritional basis, strengthening links with the national health service and providing increased support for breastfeeding mothers.

Secondary information