We know this because until recently the datasets which contained the crucial figures around eligibility and uptake were available to view – meaning that action could be taken if uptake was low in a certain local authority or area.

But, this data has now been removed from the NHS Healthy Start website due to “an issue” being identfied with the source data that is used to calculate uptake” of the scheme.

As a result, data on the number of people eligible for the scheme and the uptake percentage for the last nineteen months has been removed for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and means that councils cannot adequately plan to better promote the scheme where uptake is low, creating a postcode lottery for families in accessing support.

This is not the first time we have seen an issue with data collection in regards to the scheme. Earlier this year, the previous Government was found to have overestimated the scheme's uptake percentage.

We need to get data collection right when it comes to Healthy Start and provide the support needed to ensure uptake is constantly being improved – that will only happen with reform of the scheme.

The new Labour government has pledged to ‘give every child a healthy start’ as part of its Opportunity Mission.