Best Start Foods

We produce Scotland’s official, independent economic and fiscal forecasts

Best Start Foods (BSF) provides payments towards the cost of being pregnant or looking after young children. Money is pre-loaded on to a payment card every four weeks and can be used to purchase food from a range of retailers. It was launched in 2019 and has replaced the UK Government’s Healthy Start Vouchers.

Spending is forecast to rise from 2024-25 because the Scottish Government widened eligibility from February 2024.

Social Security Scotland statistics

Scottish Government page for Best Start Foods

Find out more in our Analytical Papers series, including our Occasional Papers and Forecast Evaluation Reports.

Or read our December 2023 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts report.

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Best Start Foods

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