According to new data from the NHS Business Services Authority, 47 per cent of households eligible for the means-tested voucher scheme are not currently receiving the vouchers, which help low-income families pay for fresh fruit and vegetables and milk and/or formula.
Currently, pregnant women on a low income or under the age of 18 and children aged one to four in households receiving certain social security benefits are eligible for one £3.10 Healthy Start voucher per week. Children under the age of one are entitled to two of these vouchers each week.
The latest data shows that in May this year, 36,375 London households were accessing the scheme. Sutton has the lowest take-up rate of all London boroughs with only 35 per cent of households claiming the vouchers.
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