to totally agree with the government

[PatsyIsPreggers]

that the Health in Pregnancy Grant is a 'poor use of limited public funds', but be really chuffed that I'll reach 25 weeks before they pull it?!

I mean, I can see where they're coming from. This is a blanket grant for anyone to claim and a lot of people, myself included, don't really need the money to prepare for a child, so I think the money could be better targeted through means testing.

But on the other hand, I'm glad I'll be able to buy a few extra treats for me and the baby!

Yes, I do agree it's a poor use, and feel a bit bad that I've had mine!

whens it pulled?

Totally agree with you. Everyone I know who has got the £190 never spent it on fruit and vegetables, it went on (going from what friends bought) a tumble dryer, a swing set for older children, a pram, uggs. So yes, it should be scrapped. I never received it when pregnant as they introduced it 6 months after DS3 was born.

You'll still get it if you're 25 weeks before 1 Jan 2011, so there's a while to get preggers and get claiming yet!

April 2011. Also think its a waste of money but did claim mine. Yes i know that makes me a hypocrite.

Also agree

Incidentally, its not for fruit and veg - its essentially a bribe to get you to go to your midwife appts, where you will be given advice on health in pregnancy.

Oh right, I thought it was to use towards healthier foods, the posters I've seen seem to be insinuating that. Oh well, it's gettin pulled anyway.

I only caught the start of the benefits bit, but are they also cutting the sure start maternity grant just for first pregnancies?

i always assumed it was so when people were given healthy eating advice they couldn't claim to not be able to afford it

That might be the Sure Start grant for the fruit and veggies? not really sure about that one...

yes, I thought it was a waste of money but also claimed it, as I pay so much in taxes anyway without seeing much for it that I thought it was nice to 'get something back.'

Put mine in the bank account we use to pay off the mortgage.

Yep, Sure Start is going to be just for the firstborn now.

Woah, I never heard of this, no one gave me money for fruit and veg!

ilive I had DS in 2007 and it wasn't around then so it's fairly new - in fact I had DD in Sept 2009 and think it came out while I was pregnant, in the early days

I had DS3 in Nov 08, and I'm sure it came out Apr 09.

Sure Start grant is £500 IIRC per child. My friend got £1000 when pg with twins.

that would fit with what i thought too

yanbu! it is a total waste but stil glad i got it for my ds2, wouldnt miss it in future pregnancies though
i dont feel bad for taking it, more money has been wasted than that like mps expenses so i dont really begrudge myself that 190
and yes it came out in 2009 april, didnt get anything for ds1 in 2008

YANBU. I think it is a waste. I did without it last time. This time I will get it and I am glad. We need a slightly bigger car and I will get it in time to put towards that. I am saving like mad and not going OTT with a Hummer or anything, but space is pretty limited with our 1 DC. With 2 we need a slightly bigger car.

YANBU - complete waste of money and from what i gather most people didn't actually get the money til they were about due anyway, so not sure how it contributed to health in pregnancy, unless you count a spa trip towards health which is what a friend used hers for recently.

never heard of it :S

Mine will be going on gooseberries. 2lb a day is costing me quite a bit. My garden ones aren't ready yet

YANBU. Labour pissed money away left, right and centre, like a 17 year old girl given her first credit card and let loose in Selfridges.