Explanatory note

Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends the Healthy Start Scheme and Welfare Food (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3262) (“the 2005 Regulations”).

Paragraph (2) amends regulation 3 to provide that a person entitled to benefit under those Regulations is entitled to Healthy Start vitamins for every four weeks of entitlement, regardless of the form those vitamins take.

Paragraph (3) amends regulation 5A to remove the restriction that Healthy Start vitamins be provided in tablet or drop form only with the effect that they may be produced in any form. That paragraph also makes an amendment consequential on that amendment.

Paragraph (4) inserts a new regulation 7A so as to enable the NHS Business Services Authority, on behalf of the Secretary of State, both to enter into and manage, framework agreements, contracts and arrangements with persons who manufacture or store, or who arrange for the distribution or supply of, Healthy Start vitamins. It also enables that authority to carry out, on behalf of, or when requested by, the Secretary of State, administrative functions relating to the supply of both Healthy Start food and Healthy Start vitamins and to request and receive information required to be furnished under the 2005 Regulations.

Regulation 3 of these Regulations amends the Welfare Food Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/1434) to make similar provision as in regulation 2(4) in respect of the supply of milk or dried milk for children in day care.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the private sector or civil society organisations.