The government should scrap the Health in Pregnancy grant to save money

This is certainly better, although you do wonder why they seem to have scrapped the health bit. Perhaps because 25 weeks is way too late for such a grant if the idea is to pass health benefits on to the baby - you're advised to start necking folic acid before you even conceive, and while I'm not a biology expert most of the pregnancy books I have read emphasise the importance of eating well right from the early weeks as this is when most of the really vital baby development is going on.

Now this grant is not means tested, and you can spend it on anything you want. This just seems nutsoid to me, and to prove it, I was going to spend it on a day trip to The Sanctuary. It's health-related! They do pregnancy treatments! What else am I going to buy - this is a second child and we have everything we need, unless it's a girl, in which case we might want to buy a few dresses. I think such a grant is a great idea for those struggling to afford say a cot or a buggy (and who aren't lucky enough to have friends and relatives practically pushing such second hand things at them). My sister works for Home-Start and I am aware of the struggle it can be to even get enough baby clothes and nappies. Also, I am aware of the destigmatising nature of universal benefits. But in this economic climate to offer £190 tax free to everyone to spend on whatever they want to seems insane.