MS, Minister for Children and
Social Care: Support for children and families is a key priority
for the Welsh Government, so I am pleased to provide an update on
progress with the Baby Bundles programme. Offering a Baby Bundle
to families across Wales remains a priority for the Welsh
Government and is a Programme for Government commitment.
We have made £2.5m available for the Baby Bundles programme in
2025-26. The programme will provide a Baby Bundle on a targeted
basis, to every expectant family living within a core Flying
Start area. Health practitioners will also be able to offer a
Baby Bundle to a limited number of families who need more support
but do not reside in Flying Start areas, through Outreach
support.
A Baby Bundle will include items such as a warm blanket and
clothing, as well as helpful information on where to turn to for
further help and support. Providing a Baby Bundle will remove
some of the financial pressure families face in some of the most
deprived areas of Wales and help deliver against our Child
Poverty Strategy commitment to reduce costs and maximise the
income of families.
I am pleased to confirm that the tender specification for the
Baby Bundle programme will go live later this week. The
procurement will run until mid-May 2025 following which Officials
will assess the bids with the contract awarded by end of June.
Over the coming months, Officials will continue to work with
midwives and other health professionals to finalise the
registration process for receiving a Baby Bundle.
Subject to a successful procurement exercise, our aim is that
families will be able to register for a Baby Bundle from the end
of November.
As a key Welsh Benefit, it will be important that families are
made aware of it through our wider work to support benefit
awareness and take up and implement our Welsh Benefits Charter.
I look forward to providing a further update on the programme's
development in due course.
