Life-saving 'baby box' plan to be put to council

A proposal to introduce potentially life-saving 'baby boxes' is to be put before Brighton and Hove City Council this week.

The boxes, which contain essential items such as clothes, blankets and nappies, are designed to help new mothers and tackle cot death rates in the poorest areas.

It is hoped the pilot scheme will support up to 100 new parents a year.

Baby boxes, which also double as a bed, are already given out by some UK health authorities and Labour councillor Bruno De Oliveira said they made a "tangible difference" to ensuring every child had the best possible start in life.

De Oliveira, who chairs the council's health and wellbeing board, plans to propose a motion on the subject at a meeting of the council on Thursday, which is scheduled to be webcast.

"By launching a council-led pilot programme we can have a starting point to make a tangible difference in our most deprived postcodes," he said.

"We will work with health professionals and community organisations to deliver these resources effectively.

"And we will collect data - not just to measure success but to advocate for broader, national implementation."

He added: "Imagine a city where every child, regardless of their postcode, starts life with dignity, safety and hope - now, let us enable it."

The baby box idea is inspired by countries such as Finland, which has championed a similar government-gifted maternity package to expectant women since the 1930s.

Some believe it has helped the country achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates.

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