Downing Street Receives Metro's Petition for Transformation Plan

Downing Street Receives Metro's Petition for Transformation Plan

With over 107,000 signatures on the heels, the campaign led by Metro and Feed delivered their "Formula for Change" petition today. The petition was directed towards Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, demanding more be done to make infant formula affordable for all families.

Launched in 2023, the campaign has been successful in raising awareness regarding the escalating prices of infant formula, which have increased by a staggering 25% in just the past two years. As per the current guidelines, formula is categorized alongside tobacco and lottery items, making it unavailable for purchase with cash alternatives. Parents struggling the most, who often rely on loyalty points and grocery vouchers provided by local councils and food banks, are not afforded many options.

In such circumstances, families are compelled to resort to unsafe feeding practices or even stealing formula to ensure their infants' nutrition. To alleviate these hardships, the petition calls on the UK Government to review infant formula legislation and allow retailers to accept loyalty points, grocery vouchers from food banks and local authorities, and store gift cards as payment for infant formula.

Although the Competition and Markets Authority have already recommended vouchers and loyalty points to be allowed for infant formula purchases, the government has yet to comment on the matter. When a petition achieves 100,000 signatures, it is considered for debate in Parliament. Today's milestone achievement saw key figures in the campaign's success visit No.10 to deliver the document, represented by Deputy Editor of Metro Claie Wilson, journalist Kat Romero, Founder of Feed Dr. Erin Williams, Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, and celebrity supporters LadBaby's Mark Hoyle and wife Roxanne.

Speaking outside No. 10, Mark relayed his hopes for an immense impact on families across the UK. Roxanne expressed her motivation for involvement, citing encounters with parents who have been reduced to tears at the checkout because they couldn't use their vouchers to purchase formula. "Every baby deserves to be fed," she said.

Claie, Wilson commented on the work undertaken to raise awareness of the formula crisis in the UK and expressed satisfaction at the growing list of supporters. Kat Romero, who initially pitched the idea for the campaign, recounted the success achieved by Formula For Change over the past two years that surpassed expectations. Being eager to continue demanding change, she expressed the hope that the Government would now follow through on their pledge to help formula-feeding parents.

Dr. Erin Williams was proud of the strides made by the campaign, but acknowledged that there was still work to be done to alleviate the challenges desperate parents face, such as watering down formula or even stealing tubs off shop shelves. Despite advocating for small changes rather than legislative overhauls, she emphasized that such changes could lead to significant consequences, improving accessibility for families in need.

MP Chris Webb, who recently raised the issue in the House of Commons, joined the team to deliver the petition. He highlighted his personal reason for involvement, having witnessed parents struggling to access formula at baby groups and food banks. "We're heading in the right direction, and we won't stop until formula is accessible to all," Webb proclaimed.

The campaign team was also supported by Director Naomi Waring, whose short film about the formula crisis was produced by Sienna Miller, as well as founders of baby banks The Space, Little Village, and Abernecessities, and Change Box.

Since the campaign's launch in 2023, there have been notable advancements. Iceland was the first high street retailer to allow loyalty vouchers and gift cards for baby formula purchases. Moreover, they introduced clear labeling on baby formula products to inform parents that all first infant formulas are nutritionally equivalent, regardless of brand or price.

Renowned businesses like Morrison's have taken steps to allow other forms of payment for infant formula, while the Department of Health and Social Care officially confirmed that food and baby banks can provide formula tubs to cash-strapped families.

The Formula for Change campaign has garnered support from several MPs, including Monica Lennon, Preet Kaur Gill, and celebrities like comedian Katherine Ryan, radio host Ashley James, and singer Michelle Heaton. The campaign has also been honored with the prestigious Making a Difference award, acknowledging its drive for change.

1. The Formula for Change petition, delivered to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, seeks a change in legislation to allow loyalty points, grocery vouchers, and store gift cards as payment for infant formula.
2. Parents who rely on loyalty points and grocery vouchers provided by local councils and food banks are finding it difficult to purchase infant formula due to its classification alongside tobacco and lottery items.
3. The petition calls on the UK Government to review infant formula legislation and make it more accessible for families struggling with affordability, potentially alleviating unsafe feeding practices or even theft of formula.
4. Although the Competition and Markets Authority has already recommended allowing vouchers and loyalty points for infant formula purchases, the government's response remains awaited.
5. Notable advancements in the Formula for Change campaign include Iceland allowing loyalty vouchers and gift cards for baby formula purchases, and Morrison's taking steps to allow other forms of payment for infant formula.

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