Campaign update: Access to Infant Formula

It’s been one month since I stood in Parliament and called on the government to ensure parents can access infant formula and I wanted to update my constituents on the work that has happened since. 

The issue of access to affordable infant formula is one that I’ve been passionate about for some time. For many families across the UK, infant formula isn’t a choice – it’s a necessity. Whether due to medical reasons, feeding challenges, or personal circumstances, many parents rely on formula to provide their babies with the essential nutrition they need to thrive. Yet, far too many families are finding it difficult to access this basic need, particularly those already struggling with food insecurity.

That’s why I launched this campaign to advocate for policy changes and corporate support to ensure that every family has access to the formula they need. From working with supermarkets to engaging with the government, the aim of this campaign is simple – to ensure that infant formula is affordable and accessible for all.

What I’m fighting for

The key objectives of this campaign are to create a fairer, more accessible system for families relying on infant formula. I want to ensure that vouchers from food banks and local authorities can be used to purchase formula. 

I’m also advocating for more supermarkets to provide affordable own-brand formula and introduce a price cap on existing brands. Families shouldn’t have to choose between feeding their babies and staying within their budgets. 

I’m pushing for an increase in Healthy Start Payments. This scheme is vital for low-income families, but it needs to reflect the growing cost of living. 

And I’m supporting a review of the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula (England) Regulations Act 2007. The current regulations need to be updated to reflect the changing needs of today’s families. I’m committed to working with the government to ensure these regulations are fit for purpose.

What I’ve achieved so far

I’ve already made significant strides in pushing this campaign forward. The support we’ve received, from politicians, charities, the media and corporate partners, has been truly encouraging. 

My adjournment debate in November generated a huge amount of media coverage, including stories in the BBC, Blackpool Gazette, Metro, ITV Granada, Evening Standard and The Independent. This has been instrumental in raising awareness of the issue.

Many fellow MPs have offered their support and have discussed my concerns with health ministers and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. I am hoping to meet with him formally to discuss the campaign at length in the new year.

With Health Secretary Wes Streeting

I have since partnered with Metro News and charity Feed UK to relaunch a petition to support this campaign in the new year. Other charitable groups I am actively engaging with include the Jamie Oliver Foundation and the Food Foundation.

I have also had productive meetings with the corporate sector about the campaign, including Amazon. CEO of Iceland Richard Walker has been instrumental in this campaign and I am in regular contact with him about our shared goals. Directors of Aldi generously agreed to supply more donations of formula to food banks and yesterdayI met with Sainsbury’s to discuss how it can support my efforts. In the new year I am also meeting with Morrisons and others will follow. 

Next steps

There’s still a lot of work ahead, and I’m committed to keeping the pressure on to ensure that access to infant formula is a priority. 

One of my next steps is to hold a roundtable discussion with families in Blackpool. I want to hear directly from parents and see how retailers can help meet the needs of families in the area.

I’m in the process of organising a drop-in reception in Westminster in January in collaboration with charity Feed UK and Metro. This will be an opportunity for politicians and others to pop in to hear more about the campaign and lend it their support. I have already had a commitment from the Food Foundation to attend and support this event. 

I plan to push for a Westminster Hall debate to keep the topic on the government agenda and ensure that we don’t lose sight of the need for change.

And I will be engaging with formula manufacturers – I have a meeting planned with Danone in the new year and I am planning a visit to Kendamil’s production site in Cumbria, to ensure that manufacturers are part of the solution.

The progress I’ve made so far gives me hope that we can achieve meaningful change for families across the UK. No parent should ever have to struggle to feed their child, and this campaign is about ensuring that infant formula is accessible to everyone who needs it – whether through food banks, supermarkets, or government support.

I’ll continue working with MPs, charities, retailers and families to push for the changes that are so desperately needed. Together, we can ensure that every family has access to the food they need to give their babies the best start in life.

Take my survey on the impact of the cost of living on childhood in Blackpool South here.