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Original poster

Pregnant woman to get 'healthy eating' grants

49 replies

DSM · 06/04/2009 19:35

Did anyone see this on the news?

Pregnant women are to be given £190 in grants. The money is intended to be spent on healthy eating, but will be paid into bank accounts and the spending will not be regulated.

WTF?

This is possibly the most ridiculous scheme I have heard of.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 06/04/2009 19:36

really? where is all this money coming from? thought we were in a recession

thisisyesterday · 06/04/2009 19:37

yep, it's been going since beginning of the year.

ruddynorah · 06/04/2009 19:37

yes it is pretty ridiculous.. but it will buy us either a second hand pram or half a brand new one

pginthecloset · 06/04/2009 19:38

I heard about the money from my mw last week. She didn't mention it was for healthy eating though.

You only get it when you get to 25 weeks pg anyway so by that time you are well over half way through pregnancy.

compo · 06/04/2009 19:39

It is ridiculous

link here hmrc preg grant

compo · 06/04/2009 19:39

fwiw if it really is needed it should only go to those who need it not for everyone imo

pginthecloset · 06/04/2009 19:40

I eat healthily already though. Does that mean I can spend mine on what I like?

pginthecloset · 06/04/2009 19:43

I agree. Obviously I'm biased, being entitled to it and won't complain about free money.

But I eat well and keep myself healthy. If they wanted the money to be spent on health it should be in vouchers for healthy food, exercise classes/swimming at local gym.

ruddynorah · 06/04/2009 19:45

you can spend it how you like it just goes in your bank account. your midwife is supposed to talk to you about healthy eating, then give you the form or whatever.

thisisyesterday · 06/04/2009 19:45

but IMO those who "need" it are even less likely to actually use it.

i presume the reason for the 25 week cut off is so that people can't claim it and then terminate the pregnancy

thisisyesterday · 06/04/2009 19:46

agree that vouchers of some sort would work much better though

smallorange · 06/04/2009 19:47

I'm getting a new double buggy with mine.

southeastastra · 06/04/2009 19:48

you can't eat that smallorange. spend it all on califlowers

Original poster
DSM · 06/04/2009 19:49

Its nonsense.

People who don't need it will get it anyway.
It should have been in vouchers.

Where is this money even coming from? Surely in the economic climate, there are better things this money could go on?

OP posts:
funtimewincies · 06/04/2009 19:49

Saw a poster for this in the surgery the other day (in Wales) and it's advertised as a 'healthy pregnancy' grant, with little cartoon pictures of all sorts of things you might need, rather than a 'healthy eating' payment.

I've got to make it to 25 weeks to get it though. As I've not managed to find a job since my last contract came to an end and I'm not entitled to any maternity pay or maternity allowance (and I don't claim anything else at all) I don't feel too guilty about taking it .

Haribosmummy · 06/04/2009 19:50

I'm planning a double buggy with mine too.

healthy eating does seem a bit of a joke at 25 weeks, to be honest. But, thisisyesterday youprobably have a very valid point.

thisisyesterday · 06/04/2009 19:51

you're right, it is the "health in pregnancy" grant. so it can be for anything to do with health, not just food.

mine will just get eaten up paying my credit card bill I expect. but hey my credit card bill does stress me out so it is kind of for my health :S

pginthecloset · 06/04/2009 19:51

Ours will go on a new pushchair too. My last one has survived two children and needs to go to the tip!

It's an unexpected bonus to be grateful for I suppose.

llareggub · 06/04/2009 19:53

Yes, although by the time I get mine I'll have given birth, so it shall be going towards some new clothes for me. It is ridiculous.

thisisyesterday · 06/04/2009 19:55

so, has anyone actually received it yet? I got my form at 26 weeks, sent it off a few days later.
now 31 weeks and still nothing

pginthecloset · 06/04/2009 19:56

my mw told me the scheme only started on 1st April (last weds) so maybe you were just given your form in advance. They are probably processing them from now.

thisisyesterday · 06/04/2009 20:04

it started back in Jan didn't it? but you are only entitled to it if you are due after april 6th?

llareggub · 06/04/2009 20:05

It went "live" today so my guess is that they'll start processing payments today. I've been told that mine will arrive in May.

pointydog · 06/04/2009 20:07

. What a waste of money. Also perpetuates the idea that healthy food is expensive.

thisisyesterday · 06/04/2009 20:11

but anyone due on the 6th april or after could claim it.

that means that if you had your baby today you could get the money. that makes no sense! lol

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