Campaigners and charities are urging the UK government to implement more robust reforms to tackle the ongoing crisis of unaffordable baby formula milk, arguing that newly announced measures do not go far enough.
Government Announces Limited Market Reforms
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed a series of limited reforms aimed at helping parents save money on essential infant nutrition. The changes, prompted by an investigation from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), include lifting a ban on using store loyalty points and vouchers to purchase baby formula.
In a House of Commons statement, the Prime Minister said, "For too long parents have been pushed into spending more on infant formula. They were told they're paying for better quality and left hundreds of pounds out of pocket." He confirmed the government would take action to give parents confidence to access formula at more affordable prices and provide clearer guidance to retailers.
However, the government has stopped short of accepting all of the CMA's recommendations. More radical proposals, such as imposing a price cap on baby formula, are not currently being considered.
A Crisis Revealed: Families in Desperate Straits
The announcement comes two-and-a-half years after a Sky News investigation first exposed the extreme lengths to which families were going to feed their babies. At the time, parents described resorting to stealing formula, watering it down, or using unsuitable substitutes like condensed milk.
The situation was labelled a "national scandal" by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service in 2023. Charities report that the pressure on families has not eased. Emilie De Bruijn, founder of the Hartlepool Baby Bank, told Sky News that demand from desperate families remains "constant and unmanageable."
"Parents are really feeling the pinch right now, and demands on baby banks are rising and it can feel quite relentless," she said.
Calls for Tougher Action and Clearer Messaging
While welcoming progress, campaigners insist the government must be tougher on formula companies. Erin Williams, co-founder of Feed UK, stated, "The prime minister though needs to be tougher on the baby formula companies. Their marketing claims, their unjustified pricing - it's stacked against families who just need to feed their babies safely."
A key part of the government's plan is improving public health messaging to inform parents that cheaper supermarket-brand formulas are nutritionally equivalent to more expensive branded products. Campaigners argue this information must be provided proactively to all expectant parents.
The CMA's investigation described recent price rises in the formula industry as unjustifiable. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, the call for decisive action to ensure every baby can be fed safely and affordably grows ever louder.
