Question reference: S4W-00264
- Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 25 May 2011
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 June 2011
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether will introduce a Scottish equivalent of the Health in Pregnancy Grant and, if not, whether it will provide additional support for women who are pregnant.
Answer
The Savings Accounts and Health in Pregnancy Grant Act 2010 removed the entitlement to the Health in Pregnancy Grant from 1 January 2011. This decision was taken by the UK Government because the payment was considered to be a poorly targeted use of limited public funds. Targeted support is available to those families most in need of financial support through the Sure Start Maternity Grant and the healthy start scheme.