Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
()
Background
Healthy Start is a passported scheme with eligibility being
derived from certain qualifying benefits, such as Universal
Credit. The uptake percentage for the Healthy Start scheme is
calculated by comparing the number of potential eligible people
to the number of beneficiaries (individuals who accessed the
Healthy Start scheme). NHS Business Services Authority publish
the data on their website where it is publicly available.
Eligibility and take-up numbers have been used in numerous
Parliamentary Questions and parliamentary debates. A previous
source data issue that affected eligibility statistics resulted
in a Written Ministerial Statement being laid in parliament on
the 26 March 2024.
I regret to inform the House that a further issue has been
identified with the statistics on the number of those potentially
eligible. This dates back to January 2023. This means that uptake
and eligibility data used in 15 PQs and 8 debates during the
former government, was inaccurate.
It is important to state that this issue has not impacted any
Healthy Start applications, existing beneficiaries, or live claim
processes. This issue has only affected reported uptake
statistics.
Issue
Healthy Start uptake percentage statistics are calculated using
information provided by Department for Work and Pensions
(DWP). DWP generate potential eligibility figures using the
Universal Credit assessed income period, unfortunately, this
period was calculated incorrectly meaning the monthly figures
reported were based on a longer period.
This means that the potential eligibility figures provided by DWP
from January 2023 to June 2024 were inaccurate.
Impact
The error means that the number of those potentially eligible has
been over-estimated; this in turn has led to an underestimated
uptake percentage since January 2023.
It should be noted that while these statistics are a key element
for reporting uptake of the Healthy Start scheme, this has not
impacted any Healthy Start applications, existing beneficiaries,
or live claim processes. The scheme continues to be promoted by
NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), who administer the
scheme on behalf of Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC),
through a variety of publications, social media, exhibits etc.
Corrective Action
DWP has corrected the calculation of the assessed income period
from July 2024. Cross departmental testing is being conducted to
provide assurance before any further data is shared with NHSBSA.
The incorrect statistical data has been removed from the NHS
Healthy Start website.
Unfortunately, we are unable to publish corrected historical
figures as the number of recipients of Universal Credit changes
daily meaning the data is only fully accurate at the time it is
produced. We will seek to restore fully accurate uptake data as
soon as we are able.
