Government urged to outline plan for the ‘crisis in child poverty and ill health’

The Labour MP Andrew Western today initiated a Westminster Hall debate on the Healthy Start scheme and increases in the cost of living.

Speaking in the debate, Mr Western commented on “The stigma, shame and anxiety felt by families who are forced to steal or risk their child’s health – and what it must be like to feel helpless hearing again your child’s hungry scream that many parents now know so well”.

Others who contributed in the debate were SNP MP Alison Thewliss and shadow public health minister Andrew Gwynne. Neil O’Brien, the minister for primary care and public health, responded for the government.