Public Health Minister, Yvette Cooper, will today announce a £60 million boost to tackle child poverty in low income areas even before children are born. The money will extend Sure Start programmes to cover pregnant women and their partners for the first time alongside families with children under four-years-old.
The funding will enable expectant mums and partners to access a wide range of advice and support services from the time of conception, rather than birth, and will help tackle problems such as poor nutrition, low birth weight, smoking and access to benefits.
There is clear evidence to show the importance of supporting parents-to-be during pregnancy. Research shows:
- the infant mortality rate in lowest income areas is 70% higher than in most affluent areas
- babies of fathers with low incomes are, on average,130 grams (4.5 ounces) lighter than babies of father with high incomes
- low birthweight babies develop higher blood pressure by the age of 11 and have increased risk of Coronary Heart Disease in later life
- lower birthweight babies may have lower educational achievements and qualifications regardless of social background
- babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy are on average 200 grams (7 ounces) lighter than babies born to non-smoking mothers
- pregnant women on low incomes have lower nutrient intakes - including lower intakes of vitamins such as B1, B12, D and Iron
- women in low income and poor housing areas have higher rates of post-natal depression
- where mother suffer post natal depression, sons are more likely to have educational and emotional problems by the age of 11
- babies in low income families are less likely to be breastfed.
Ms Cooper will announce the £60 million package at a seminar organised by the Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) today. She said:
Research shows that what happens in pregnancy can affect a child and a family for many years and many decades to come.Every parent knows what a significant time pregnancy can be for the child and the family.That is why the government is recognising the importance of pregnancy too, by extending Sure Start to cover parents to be.
Pregnant women and their partners in low income areas are less likely to get the support they want and need to give their child the best start in life. That is why tackling child poverty means providing more support and opportunities in low income areas before the child is even born.
I am delighted to announce a £60 million boost to support pregnant women and their partners in low income areas, as part of an increasing government focus on pregnancy and the very start of children's lives.