to totally agree with the government

[PatsyIsPreggers]

that the Health in Pregnancy Grant is a 'poor use of limited public funds', but be really chuffed that I'll reach 25 weeks before they pull it?!

I mean, I can see where they're coming from. This is a blanket grant for anyone to claim and a lot of people, myself included, don't really need the money to prepare for a child, so I think the money could be better targeted through means testing.

But on the other hand, I'm glad I'll be able to buy a few extra treats for me and the baby!

[StealthPolarBear]

Yes, I do agree it's a poor use, and feel a bit bad that I've had mine!

[GypsyMoth]

whens it pulled?

[5inthebackofthenet]

Totally agree with you. Everyone I know who has got the £190 never spent it on fruit and vegetables, it went on (going from what friends bought) a tumble dryer, a swing set for older children, a pram, uggs. So yes, it should be scrapped. I never received it when pregnant as they introduced it 6 months after DS3 was born.

[PatsyIsPreggers]

You'll still get it if you're 25 weeks before 1 Jan 2011, so there's a while to get preggers and get claiming yet!

[Pootles2010]

April 2011. Also think its a waste of money but did claim mine. Yes i know that makes me a hypocrite.

[Songbiirdheartsfootball]

Also agree

[Pootles2010]

Incidentally, its not for fruit and veg - its essentially a bribe to get you to go to your midwife appts, where you will be given advice on health in pregnancy.

[5inthebackofthenet]

Oh right, I thought it was to use towards healthier foods, the posters I've seen seem to be insinuating that. Oh well, it's gettin pulled anyway.

I only caught the start of the benefits bit, but are they also cutting the sure start maternity grant just for first pregnancies?

[StealthPolarBear]

i always assumed it was so when people were given healthy eating advice they couldn't claim to not be able to afford it

[PatsyIsPreggers]

That might be the Sure Start grant for the fruit and veggies? not really sure about that one...

[anyabanya]

yes, I thought it was a waste of money but also claimed it, as I pay so much in taxes anyway without seeing much for it that I thought it was nice to 'get something back.'

Put mine in the bank account we use to pay off the mortgage.

[PatsyIsPreggers]

Yep, Sure Start is going to be just for the firstborn now.

[livethedream]

Woah, I never heard of this, no one gave me money for fruit and veg!

[StealthPolarBear]

ilive I had DS in 2007 and it wasn't around then so it's fairly new - in fact I had DD in Sept 2009 and think it came out while I was pregnant, in the early days

[5inthebackofthenet]

I had DS3 in Nov 08, and I'm sure it came out Apr 09.

Sure Start grant is £500 IIRC per child. My friend got £1000 when pg with twins.

[StealthPolarBear]

that would fit with what i thought too

[Firawla]

yanbu! it is a total waste but stil glad i got it for my ds2, wouldnt miss it in future pregnancies though
i dont feel bad for taking it, more money has been wasted than that like mps expenses so i dont really begrudge myself that 190
and yes it came out in 2009 april, didnt get anything for ds1 in 2008

[DetectivePotato]

YANBU. I think it is a waste. I did without it last time. This time I will get it and I am glad. We need a slightly bigger car and I will get it in time to put towards that. I am saving like mad and not going OTT with a Hummer or anything, but space is pretty limited with our 1 DC. With 2 we need a slightly bigger car.

[choufleur]

YANBU - complete waste of money and from what i gather most people didn't actually get the money til they were about due anyway, so not sure how it contributed to health in pregnancy, unless you count a spa trip towards health which is what a friend used hers for recently.

[meltedchocolate]

never heard of it :S

[nymphadora]

Mine will be going on gooseberries. 2lb a day is costing me quite a bit. My garden ones aren't ready yet

[zerominuszero]

YANBU. Labour pissed money away left, right and centre, like a 17 year old girl given her first credit card and let loose in Selfridges.