Children parenting and family life

WE all want to give our kids a magical birthday, no matter the budget.

And one mum has shared how she created a personalised Minecraft cake for her son’s birthday without paying a professional.

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Taking to TikTok, Cara, a mum-of-five, made her own delicious cake for her son’s birthday using M&S and Amazon buys.

In the clip, she said: “Come DIY my son’s Minecraft birthday cake using two cakes from M&S.

“I feel absolutely awful but I left it way too last minute to order Noah a birthday cake, then I couldn’t get one booked in anywhere so thought I’d go to M&S and do it myself.”

She said her son was a big chocolate lover so grabbed the M&S chocolate Mini Bite Cake for £20 and the Cookies and Cream cake.

She used the cookie flavour cake as the bottom tier and removed the chocolate decorations and moved them to the chocolate cake that would suit on top.

To make sure the two cakes were secure, she stuck a few cocktail sticks into the bottom one before placing the other on top.

Next, the savvy mum had some Amazon bits to complete the cake and turn it into a Minecraft bonanza that Noah would love.

She was able to find a Minecraft logo and happy birthday sign made out of edible rice paper, so cut them out and placed them on top of the cake.

Cara also found some Minecraft figurines made of icing and stuck those on top as well.

“These are amazing,” she said, “And I just popped them all over the cake.

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“Noah is Minecraft obsessed and Steve is his absolute favourite character, so I know he’s gonna absolutely love this.

The final cake was perfect for her son and the rest of her family to enjoy while celebrating his birthday.

Cara added: “I mean it’s not the best cake in the world but I know he’s gonna absolutely love it and it was literally on a budget.”

The clip of her DIY cake was shared on her TikTok account @cara_mamato5 and soon went viral with over 170k views and 2,800 likes.

The cost of a professional birthday cake can vary massively depending on how big you want it and what decor you want.

A basic sponge or character cake from the supermarket can cost between £10 to £20.

A small personalised custom cake from a bakery or cake maker can set you back up to £60.

While medium cakes, with multiple tiers like what Cara made can be an eye-watering £100.

A HOST of major supermarkets have slashed the price of school uniform ahead of the new academic year.

The cost of getting kids back to school isn’t cheap but you could save some cash on clothes this week.

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Asda, Aldi and Tesco have all dropped prices on their uniform bits or are launching bundle offers with prices starting from £1.50.

We’ve rounded up all the deals below.

Of course, always remember to shop around when buying any product, not least school uniform.

Compare prices via price comparison sites like Trolley, Price Spy and Price Runner to see if you’ve found the best deal on any given item.

The Google Shopping/Product tab will give you a basic indication on whether what you’ve found is well-priced as well.

That said, research by The Sun has found Aldi and Lidl are offering the lowest prices this year.

Asda

Asda has slashed prices on hundreds of school uniform bits with 20% off trousers, shirts and polos.

Prices start from £1.60 for crew neck t-shirts and range up to £16 for five-packs of slim leg boys trousers.

Parents can also buy hoodies for £4, jersey skirts for £5.60 and five-packs of long sleeve tops for £12.

Shoppers on Facebook claim the 20% off offer is running in stores as well.

We have asked Asda if it is available across all stores and what date the offer is running until both online and in-store and will update this story when we’ve heard back.

Aldi

German discounter Aldi is bringing back it’s popular £5 school uniform bundle deal on Sunday (June 29).

The bundle includes two polo shirts, a sweatshirt or cardigan, and a choice of trousers, skirt or cargo shorts – all for a fiver.

Shoppers can’t buy the bundle online as Aldi doesn’t offer a home delivery service.

As with all Aldi Specialbuys, you’ll need to act fast as once they’re gone, they’re gone.

You don’t have to buy the whole bundle and can buy individual uniform items, with prices starting from £1.50.

Sizes are available for kids aged four to 12.

Tesco

Tesco has launched a 25% off sale on its school uniform bits in store and online for Clubcard customers.

You can sign up for a Clubcard for free via the Tesco website or by downloading the app for free on to your smartphone.

The offer is running until June 29, with non-Clubcard prices starting from £3 (£2.25 for Clubcard) for a two-pack of crew neck t-shirt.

Sizes are available for kids aged between four and 16.

If you can’t afford to buy school uniform now, Tesco is re-running the 25% off offer between July 22 and July 27.

Alongside the school uniform deal, shoppers can pick up stationery with prices starting from 25p.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

REALITY TV star Lateysha Grace rushed her sick six-month-old baby to hospital after she started struggling to breathe.

The 32-year-old’s daughter “took a turn for the worse” before she was diagnosed with bronchitis and croup.

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Posting a snap from hospital, the terrified mum of Navy Storm Grace told fans: “Sorry I’ve been so MIA guys.

“Navy took a turn for the worse on Friday night and we ended up in hospital until Saturday.

“It was so scary. She got diagnosed with bronchitis and croup bless her.

“I’m going to add a video in of her breathing to warn other parents to go straight to A&E if their child has similar symptoms.

“She’s on the mend now. Her breathing is so much better.

“She’s drinking her milk and her temperature has gone.”

Lateysh added: “Apparently she had it for a couple of days prior and day four or five is the worst, which were the days we were in hospital.

“So even if your baby has the tiniest of coughs/colds get it checked out.

“I honestly thought it was nothing at first as she had no temperature and was eating, drink and sleeping normally.”

Croup is a common condition that mainly affects babies’ and young children’s airways.

Symptoms usually include a barking cough and high pitched, rasping sound when breathing in.

EXPERTS have issued an urgent warning over popular slushy drinks that could leave children unconscious.

Parents giving the icy shakes to kids as a cooling summer treat were told they may contain high amounts of a sweet syrup that’s dangerous to young children.

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Brightly coloured slushies are a mainstay at cinemas, corner shops and theme parks – especially as temperatures ramp up.

But the sweet icy drinks often contain glycerol, a sugar substitute that gives slushies their signature, semi-frozen texture.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has now updated its guidance to state that slush ice drinks containing glycerol are not suitable for children under seven.

It follows several incidents involving slushy drinks in recent months.

A two-year-old girl was left listless and grey and “20 minutes from death” after having a slushy drink at a neighbour’s birthday party, according to her gran.

And two young boys became violently ill after slurping on slushies as a half term treat.

Earlier this year, the brightly-coloured drinks — which are designed to appeal to children — were linked to the hospitalisation of 21 children aged two to seven.

Members of the food watchdog’s board called for the change after reviewing evidence on the risk of glycerol to young children’s health.

UK guidance previously stated that that slush ice drinks with glycerol are not recommended for children under four due to the risk of glycerol intoxication, and that those under 11 should have no more than one.

Now, the FSA warned parents not to give the drinks to children under seven.

FSA chair Professor Susan Jebb: “In the warm weather, children may be more likely to consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol, so it’s important that parents and carers are aware of the risks.

“As a precaution, the FSA is recommending that children under seven do not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol.”

Slush ice drinks can contain glycerol –  also called E422 or glycerine on some labels – as a substitute for sugar to prevent them from freezing solid.

The sugar substitute is also found in some other foods, but at much lower quantities than in slush ice drinks. 

Consumed at high levels, glycerol can cause very low blood sugar levels and unconsciousness in young children – also known as glycerol intoxication syndrome.

Dr Duane Mellor, registered dietitian and senior lecturer at Aston Medical School in Birmingham, previously told Sun Health why children – who are smaller than adults – are more at risk of drinking dangerous amounts.

“If too much glycerol is consumed too quickly and in too large a volume, it can potentially change the blood concentration,” Dr Mellor said.

“This can then affect the amount of fluid around the brain, leading to symptoms including confusion, dizziness, nausea and even, on occasion, loss of consciousness.”

Pharmacist Abbas Kanani, from Chemist Click, told Sun Health: “Glycerol may cause side effects such as nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and headaches.

“In the case of slush-ice drinks, the dangers are typically associated with very high levels of exposure and may lead to glycerol intoxication, which could cause hypoglycaemia, shock and loss of consciousness.

“The Food Standards Agency state that there are concerns about its acute effects on young children when consumed in large amounts over a short period, leaving them vulnerable to the symptoms listed above.

“Whilst symptoms are usually mild, young children may suffer from headaches and sickness caused by exposure to glycerol.”

According to the FSA, just one 350ml drink with the highest levels of glycerol could potentially cause a problem for a four-year-old.

In youngsters aged five to ten, one and a half of these drinks can have dangerous effects, if consumed quickly.

‘Protect children’

FSA board members previously conducted a risk assessment of slushy ice drinks in 2023, “which was based on average body weight” estimates for children.

This time, the food watchdog took a more cautious approach, taking into account that some children might have a lower than average body weight for their age.

“The assessment incorporated information from recent glycerol intoxication incidents and assessed the impact of one serving of slush ice drink (350ml with 50,000mg/L glycerol) on children with a lower-than-average body weight for their age,” the FSA wrote.

“As children’s weights vary, body weight has been converted to age to provide more practical advice for parents and businesses.”

The updated advice applies to ready-to-drink slush ice drinks with glycerol in pouches and home kits containing glycerol slush concentrates.

The FSA advised businesses selling slushies to add the minimum amount of glycerol needed to achieve the desired texture.

It also called on businesses to share how much glycerol was being added to drinks and foods.

Prof Jebb said: “We expect industry to share data on the quantity of glycerol in their products to inform our future work.

“Meanwhile, there are immediate actions they can take that can help protect children and reduce the risk from these products.

“For example, retailers should limit cup sizes and should not offer free refill promotions to children under 10.”

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Arla Agnew, two, was left falling in and out of consciousness after enjoying the popular frozen treat at a neighbour’s birthday party.

Arla’s gran, Stacey, 39, told The Scottish Sun that they youngster became “limp and lifeless” in the hours after consuming the drink and was rushed to hospital, where it was found her blood sugar levels were dangerously low.

“The doctor said to us if we had been another 20 minutes it could have been so different. We were absolutely devastated,” the gran added.

Meanwhile, mum Roxy Wallis, 36, said her two sons fell violently ill minutes after drinking slushies.

“My middle child felt sick, dizzy, and incredibly pale. By the time we reached the ticket machine, he had vomited everywhere.

“At this point, my oldest son looked pale and felt sick but wasn’t as bad – he was a bit bigger than his brother.”

Abbas shared advice for parents in the event that their child suffers a reaction after drinking a slushy.

“If you suspect intoxication from a slushie drink and your child is experiencing any symptoms, even if they are mild, seek immediate medical attention.

“This is important so that your child can be assessed and any serious reactions can be ruled out.”

JUNE is a popular time for people to move home, hopeful of being settled before the new school term.

But making sure you get the most out of a move can be stressful.

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However, property expert Liv Conlon – who stages homes for a living – has shared her essential 10 tips for boosting value.

And some cost just pennies but can had hundreds to the asking price.

Liv, 26, is the CEO of multi-award-winning ThePropertyStagers.co.uk, which furnishes more than 400 homes a year, as well as a StagerBoss – a coaching business teaching other women how to do the same.

The Scots mum, who was brought up in Glasgow and now lives in Marbella with son Cash and mum Ali, says: “From posh pillows to hotel-style bedding, the right styling can make buyers fall in love and nudge them above the asking price.

“So before you stick up the For Sale sign, check out these smart, simple ways to get buyers battling to pay more than the asking price.”

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

A buyer decides in 10 seconds whether they are going to buy your home or not – so your entrance and hallway need to make a good first impression.

Make it warm and welcoming. Buy a new door mat that’s only used for viewings, with no dirty shoe marks, and place two identical plants at either side of the door – which is either clean, new or given a lick of paint. Opt for colours such as black or navy blue so it looks ‘classy’, rather than something more ‘out there’.

Clear away the clutter, and lose the smelly shoes and dumped coats.

LIVING ROOM VISION

The living room is the heart of the home – and buyers know it. It’s where they picture relaxing with a glass of wine, watching TV, or hosting friends.

Get this room wrong and you risk turning off even the most interested buyer. Make it feel spacious but not sterile, styled but still homely.

Pull sofas away from the walls to create cosy conversation zones, and use a large rug to anchor the space – this helps define it and adds warmth.

Then ditch harsh overhead lights and go for soft lamps, layered lighting and oversized accessories to give a sense of luxury. Use neutral tones for your sofa and walls, then add depth with textured throws, scatter cushions and artwork.

GO BIG

Tiny trinkets and dinky lamps really don’t cut it when you’re trying to wow a buyer. One of the biggest styling mistakes sellers make is going too small with their accessories – it makes your home look underwhelming.

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If you want to create that lux, showhome feel, size matters. Think
big and bold. Oversized lamps on side tables make a dramatic statement, especially when paired with plush sofas or layered cushions.

Chunky candlesticks, large framed art or statement vases add instant impact – and make the space feel styled, not stuffed.

DON’T LOO-SE OUT

Bathrooms are an important room but are often forgotten about when it comes to staging. The key to success with styling this room is to compliment not clutter.

You can do this by adding simple styling accessories, layers and textures. Consider pops of colour in your accessories, such as a soap dispenser or a toothbrush holder, which you can pick up for as little as £3 in places like Home Bargains. This draws the eye and helps your images jump off the page.

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Add textures with towels and bath mats, but also through the type of glass or ceramic in your accessories. Small touches can have a big impact.

RIGHT RUG

Rugs are the unsung heroes of home staging – they define spaces, add texture and instantly warm up any room. In large, open-plan layouts, rugs create natural boundaries between living,
dining and kitchen zones, making the space feel organised and inviting.

Don’t overlook the ‘forgotten’ spaces – utility rooms, hallways or entryways can be transformed with a well-chosen rug to feel cosy and purposeful.

Rugs can tie together the design elements, especially through colour and texture, in a space while providing a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

They can also significantly reduce noise levels by absorbing sound – a quieter home is always more appealing to buyers.

ALL WHITE

Five-star hotels use crisp, white bedding for a reason, as it exudes luxury and cleanliness, and it immediately puts a viewer at ease.

Patterned or busy linens can feel cluttered and overly personal, turning off potential buyers. Investing in high-quality, bright white sheets creates a serene, spa-like oasis that invites buyers to imagine themselves unwinding there.

The clean, neutral backdrop also lets you introduce pops of colour and texture with cushions and throws – easy updates that make the room feel stylish without overwhelming the senses.

GET DRESSED

Layering is the secret to making your home feel styled, warm and high-end – without overdoing it.

In the bedroom, start with white sheets, then double up on duvets: one laid flat, the second folded neatly at the end for a boutique hotel look. Use feather insert cushions -not flat polyfills – and build texture with velvet throws, faux fur or quilted finishes.

In the living room, mix cushion sizes and textures on your sofa – linen, boucle, chunky knit – to add depth. Coffee tables and
sideboards should be styled too: think a stack of hardback books, a sculptural candle and one standout vase. Keep it intentional, not cluttered.

STAR OF THE SHOW

Not much beats getting ready at a dressing table. The feeling of space and time – rather than catching a quick glimpse in the closet mirror before rushing out the front door.

Create that same feeling in your bedroom by setting up a designated space in your bedroom to put on make-up and style your hair.

This can be a dual purpose area that could also double up as a work from home space too. To add real luxury, add a table standing mirror, and opt for a mirrored dressing table if your budget allows.

CLEAR OFF

Nothing puts buyers off faster than clutter. It makes rooms feel smaller and chaotic. When people view your home, they’re not just looking at the space – they’re imagining their life in it.

That’s hard to do if every surface is piled high with post, toys or toiletries. Start by stripping back.

Clear kitchen worktops, bedside tables and bathroom counters. Invest in clever storage: ottomans with lift-up lids, under-bed boxes and baskets for toys or blankets.

Hide away anything personal or bulky. Less stuff equals more space.

MIRROR IMAGE

Create symmetry in your rooms with matching bedside tables on either side of the bed. Not only does this add practicality and storage, but it instantly makes the room feel more polished.

Then, top each table with oversized, identical lamps – these create drama and a high-end vibe without breaking the bank.

Symmetry tricks the eye into seeing order and elegance, making your
bedroom feel like a five-star retreat buyers won’t forget.

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THIS nepo-baby looked incredible as she appeared at an exhibition in London last night.

And it’s no surprise, as the actress has grown up with very famous Hollywood parents.

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The 17-year-old was snapped in London at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition Party.

And she looked absolutely stunning as she posed in a sweet pink dress beside her famous mother.

But can you guess who she is? Or who her famous parents are?

The young lady in question is Nell Burton, the daughter of Hollywood director Tim Burton and A-list star Helena Bonham Carter.

Nell made her first movie appearance as a toddler, as a Baby at Dock in the movie “Alice in Wonderland”, directed by her father Tim.

Her mother, Helena, played the Red Queen, starring opposite Johnny Depp as a Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as Alice.

Nell was then seen as a Little Girl at the Train Station in the 2012 fantasy comedy “Dark Shadows”.

She also made an appearance as Girl at Park in the biographical drama “Big Eyes”, about the life of the painter Margaret Keane.

And she appeared as Unnamed classmate in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Tim and Helena met for the first time when he cast her to play in his 2001 movie “Planet of the Apes”, during which the two began their relationship.

Sweeney Todd actress Helena, 59, and Tim, 66, went on to have an unconventional marriage.

The couple famously lived together in adjoining houses in Belsize Park, North London, before knocking them together.

They had two children Billy, 22, and Nell, 17, but split in 2014.

They remained friends after the split with Helena branding the director “very generous”.

She said at the time: “You go through massive grief — it is a death of a relationship, so it’s utterly bewildering.

“Your identity, everything, changes.

“Luckily I’ve kept both houses. He was very generous.”

Helena is now with writer and academic Rye Dag Holmboe, who at 37 is 22 years her junior.

And Tim is with Bond girl and model Monica Bellucci, 66, who presented him with a lifetime achievement award at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon in 2022.

Nell’s older brother has also made appearances in several of their father’s movies.

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MAYCI Neeley is a household name since appearing on the hit reality TV show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, but now, she has revealed the heartbreaking story of her first love.

While her life may seem picture perfect with a doting husband, two kids, and another on the way, she has now shared her tragic past.

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She’s often seen on Instagram posing with her husband, Jacob Neeley, but he isn’t the biological father of the nine-year-old son, though.

Before her marriage, Mayci was in a relationship with Arik Mack. Then her life changed forever.

In 2015, Mayci, who was just 19, was at university on a tennis scholarship when she found out she was pregnant.

Mayci described Arik as a bit of a wild guy” who was “so full of life.”

So she had concerns about him settling down with the arrival of their baby.

But he assured Mayci he was ready to be a dad and marry her.

While Mayci says she didn’t want to give up her tennis career, she decided to leave university and move back to her families home for support.

Arik decided to stay at the university, which was in a different city in Utah.

“Being away from Arik was harder than I thought. My hormones were all over the place,” she told The Mirror.

“On 24 March 2015, Arik and I had a fight. The pressure on us had become too much and we started to argue over text.”

“Little did I know that Arik was driving while texting me. Frustrated, I stopped replying to his messages.”

Mayci didn’t think much of it when he stopped replying, that was until she checked social media later that day.

Tragic Realisation

While scrolling through Instagram, she noticed a series of tribute posts to her boyfriend.

She saw a post that read: “I’ll miss you, Arik”, which had a photo of him.

The next post said, “RIP.”

Shocked by what she was seeing, she called his father, who confirmed Arik had tragically passed away due to texting and driving and had been killed on impact.

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Reflecting on that time of heartbreak, the reality TV star said: “I was 13 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Me and him got into a disagreement.

I remember calling him and hoping he would answer.

Mayci Neeley

“Mainly me, I was upset with him, and we were sending texts back and forth and one of his texts was unfinished at the end of it.

“I remember calling him and hoping he would answer. And the worst part of it was just hearing the dial tone and being like, ‘Please God, answer the phone.’ And I called his dad and his dad told me that he passed away in a car accident… It was the most traumatic time of my life.”

“I was utterly destroyed. I had no idea that he was driving – I never would have replied to him if I knew,” she continued.

“Arik was my best friend and suddenly, he was gone.”

“My baby would never be held by their father. It was too much to bear.”

Tragically, Mayci found out the day after he boyfriend died that she was having a baby boy.

The pregnant teen sank into a deep depression as she tried to cope with the grief while carrying their only child, Hudson.

The loss of the life she had imagined with Arik was too much for Mayci, who also revealed she received negative comments from those around her.

I didn’t want to live, to be honest.

Mayci Neeley

“You’re young, you have plenty of time to find a father for your son,” said one, while another quipped: “At least you’ll never have to co-parent.”

In September 20115, Mayci gave birth to their son and says he saved her life.

Speaking on the show, Mayci said: “I truly feel like he was my first love, and it just destroyed me.

“I didn’t want to live, to be honest, and if it wasn’t for my son, I don’t even know if I’d be here today.”

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Finding Love Again

Mayci decided to make the brave decision to go back to university while navigating being a single mum.

When Hudson was seven months old, Jacob Neeley came into her life after meeting through mutual friends.

“I was terrified of getting hurt again but after four months, I couldn’t deny my feelings any longer. He was kind and funny and made me feel safe,” she wrote for The Mirror.

The pair began dating and were engaged in November 2017 before getting married in 2018.

Jacob has since gone on to adopt Hudson, and he and Mayci had a daughter through IVF called Harlow.

Now Mayci is pregnant again and announced the news on social media.

“Baby #3 is on the way and we couldn’t be happier!” she wrote in an Instagram post.

A PROFESSIONAL nanny has revealed the Aldi kids’ food she would never give her clients’ children.

Emily, who works with families all over the world, claimed that she would personally avoid “pouches and meal trays” that you can pick up in supermarkets. 

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Over recent years, numerous companies have found success in convincing parents that feeding a baby with a quick and convenient processed pouch is easier and also nutritious.

However, there have been growing concerns over whether they are nutritionally sufficient and if they hinder a varied diet.

On her @thenosugarcoatnanny account, Emily, who is trained as a prestigious Norland nanny, held up two items from Aldi’s Organia Mamia range, which are designed for children.

Speaking of their “super cheap” 65p apples, parsnips and carrots pouch (intended for ages four months and above) and their 95p chicken and vegetable cous cous (designed for 12 months and older), she said: “These are products that I do not recommend to parents.”

PANORAMA INVESTIGATION

Emily cited an investigation by BBC Panorama, which found that six leading UK brands did not meet their key nutritional needs for baby food pouches.

The NHS website has published advice on commercial baby food, and said parents should not rely on shop-bought pouches as everyday meals.

Some popular baby food pouches are labelled as being “perfectly balanced for growing babies” or “packed with goodness”.

Emily added: “Lots of you know about the Panorama documentary that came out about pouches and food. 

“I think if you haven’t watched it as a parent, definitely go and watch it.”

The study followed the World Health Organisation stating that it is “critical” that infants and toddlers get good nutrition in the first three years of life.

Babies need food that is “pure, varied, minimally seasoned and nutrient-dense.“

Despite this, by the age of two to five, the average UK toddler has been found to get 61 per cent of their energy from ultra-processed foods, according to a 2022 study.

IRON LEVELS

Emily’s next gripe was with the iron levels in baby meals, and claimed that “a baby needs 7.8 mg a day.”

In the Panorama documentary, Ella’s Kitchen spag bol had just 0.7mg of iron, while Aldi’s Bangers and Mash contained 0.5mg of iron and a Lidl meal had about 0.4mg.

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Emily claimed: “Aldi’s products were tested, and their iron levels in them were around 0.5 mg. 

“So, if you give your child, let’s say, this for breakfast, this for lunch, and a similar one for dinner, your child’s, getting 1.5 milligrams of iron a day? 

“That’s so incredibly low. 

“And obviously, children need iron to grow their blood cells.

“It’s obviously to help with their oxygen and the flow around their body.

“So, that’s something to really, really consider when thinking of these.”

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Emily shared how she wasn’t advising parents to avoid them completely, and said they are “absolutely fine” for days out if you’ve not made anything or forgotten a snack.

She explained: “But what I don’t want parents to be doing is stocking their cupboards full of these sorts of things, and then that’s your go-to.”

A spokesperson for Aldi said: “Our range of products can help parents and carers to support a child’s weaning journey by introducing a wide variety of food and flavours as part of a varied diet.

“Any sugar in them is naturally occurring and would be the same in a fruit puree made at home.”

NHS GUIDANCE

The NHS Start For Life website states that parents should wait until their baby is around six months old before feeding them solid foods, even if labels on pouches say the products are suitable from four months.

Experts say the products should only be used sparingly, and not as replacements for homemade meals.

They also advised they can cause children health problems if used as their main source of nutrition.

The six brands involved in the investigation were Ella’s Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo, Little Freddie, Aldi and Lidl, who all said their products were intended to be used as a complementary part of a child’s varied weaning diet.

CHOC-lovers are fuming after Cadbury reduced the size of its Dairy Milk Little Bars multipacks by a third.

New packs of four are being sold for £1.40, even though packs of six cost the same last month.

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The change has been blasted by shoppers, including many parents who bought them as kids’ snacks.

One fumed on the Tesco website: “Advertised as new, only thing new is you get 4 instead of 6!! For the same price. Disgusting!”

A second said: “Stop reducing how much is in the packet and charging the same price!!!”

A third added: “Was a six pack now a four pack for the same price, a third less chocolate, unacceptable shrinkflation.”

It comes after Cadbury reduced packs of Freddos from five to four and Cadbury Dairy Milk multipacks were cut from nine bars to seven.

Cadbury said: “We understand the economic pressures that consumers continue to face and any changes to our product sizes is a last resort for our business.

“However, as a food producer, we are continuing to experience significantly higher input costs across our supply chain, with ingredients such as cocoa and dairy, which are widely used in our products, costing far more than they have done previously.

“Meanwhile, other costs like energy and transport, also remain high. This means that our products continue to be much more expensive to make and while we have absorbed these costs where possible, we still face considerable challenges

“As a result of this difficult environment, we have had to make the decision to slightly reduce the weight of our Cadbury Dairy Milk Little Bars multipacks so that we can continue to provide consumers with the brands they love, without compromising on the great taste and quality they expect.”

Dan Coatsworth, analyst at the investment firm AJ Bell, explained: “The cost of producing chocolate has gone up a lot in recent years, driving up prices and prompting firms to make products smaller.

“When production costs rocket, companies only have a limited range of options.

“They can pass on the costs to the customer through higher prices, which is difficult with a product like chocolate where people are often looking for a cheap treat.

“Another option is to reduce the size of the product in order to reduce the manufacturing cost for each bar of chocolate. Or they can try a combination of the two.

“As a last resort, companies may have to tolerate lower profit margins, especially if consumers refuse to tolerate price rises and stop buying.”

The British Retail Consortium said global cocoa prices are around three times higher than in 2022, after being badly affected by poor harvests in parts of Africa.

A MUM has shared how she ditched the UK for sunny Thailand with her kids and husband.

Lauren took to social media and shared why she left England and has no regrets in uprooting her family to South East Asia.

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The mum-of-two revealed that she and her family decided the cost of living and their busy schedule was too much.

Instead of putting up with it, they sold their house and bought a one-way ticket to Thailand for a new life.

She said: “We didn’t leave because we hated the UK.

“We left because life started to feel like one long checklist we didn’t remember choosing. Wake up. Rush. Work. Nursery. School. Bills. Repeat.

“We wanted more presence, more connection, more sunsets and slow mornings.

“So we sold almost everything, booked a one-way ticket, and figured it out as we went.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s ours, and we’ve never felt more free.”

Lauren often shared her new life in Thailand on social media and recently shared one of their favourite breakfasts while they stayed in Koh Samui.

She headed to one of her favourite food vendors and ordered fried chicken and sticky rice before getting some Thai milk tea.

The mum even said that she thought the iced tea was better than English Breakfast tea.

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The mum added: “Hands down they are better than an English breakfast tea. They’re sweet, they’re icy. They do give you that little tea fix.”

She said the next step to the perfect breakfast was to locate the nearest beach.

“The beach closest to our house here is Chong Mon. And if you are coming to Koh Samui, even just on holiday, I really recommend this area,” Lauren said.

“It’s kind of like a mix between touristy but not too touristy.

“The beach here is so good for kids because the water is really shallow.”

Finally, she and her family sat down on the beach to enjoy their breakfast with a stunning view.

The clip went viral on her TikTok account @lifealongsidelauren with 120k views.

People were quick to take to the comments in awe of Lauren’s new life.

One person wrote: “Living the dream, I would swap my builders’ tea in England for yours any day of the week.”

Another commented: “I have been following for a while just wanted to say that because of you and your TikTok my future with my kids will look the same!”

“I haven’t seen your posts for ages, glad you’re still enjoying your new life,” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “Brekkie on the beach..elite!”

“Love watching your adventures! We are coming to to Thailand in August and can’t wait,” claimed a fifth.

Someone else added: “Such an inspiration.”

A 68-YEAR-OLD woman has revealed that she said ‘I Do’ with her Nigerian toyboy, who is 43 years her junior.

When Kay, 68, and Ablack, 25, first connected on Facebook, they had no idea that a simple social media like would lead to marriage. 

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But now, the couple have opened up on their unique relationship and explained how just three days after meeting in real life, Kay’s toyboy popped the question.

Revealing all to Truly, on an episode of Love Don’t Judge, the couple admitted that they are constantly stared at in the street and Kay has even been accused of being Ablack’s “grandma”.

Opening up about how their relationship first blossomed, Kay recognised: “He liked something I posted. He went from somebody who liked my post to my very best friend, I could tell him everything. It just kept getting stronger and stronger.” 

After three failed marriages, Kay was initially “very leery about being scammed” by the youngster.

Not only was the mother called “crazy” by many, but before long, the couple had tied the knot, with Ablack being Kay’s fourth husband. 

Despite falling in love, the couple constantly face judgement over their age gap, with Kay being 43 years older than Ablack. 

But Kay beamed: “I do not feel old when I’m around him. I feel very young, like a teenager.” 

With Ablack based in Nigeria and Kay over in the US, the pair have had to make the relationship work with the geographical distance. 

However, Ablack knows that the pair are destined to be, as he acknowledged: “A prophet told me that I’m going to get married to a white woman and here she is.”

But although destiny brought them together, not everyone agrees with their relationship, as Ablack said, “Some people say, ‘she’s old enough to be your mum’. Some say, ‘you’re married to your grandma’, ‘she’s too old for you’.

“Anywhere we go, people take pictures of us.” 

Not only this, but people have even accused Ablack of getting “married for a US green card”. 

Be careful girl. Scammers can be “in love” too!

YouTube user

Clearly unfazed by the judgement, Kay, who is often referred to as Ablack’s “sugar mummy”, said: “I’ve never felt love like this before.

“This is the one I’m supposed to be with, I just had to wait a long time for him to be born.

“He treats me like a Queen. I’m his priority.” 

A-list age gap relationships that have stood the test of time

1. Kris Jenner & Corey Gamble – 25 years
   The Kardashian matriarch, 69, met her younger man, 44, at a mutual friend’s 40th birthday party in Ibiza. They’ve been together since August 2014.
2. Sam & Aaron Taylor-Johnson – 23 years
   The director, 57, and actor, 34, reportedly met at a film audition in 2009, and were married by 2012. The pair share two daughters and Sam has two children from a previous marriage.
3. Rosie-Huntington-Whiteley & Jason Statham – 20 years
   The model, 37, started dating actor Jason, 57, in 2010. They were wed in 2016 and have since welcomed a son and a daughter together.
4. Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas – 25 years
   Catherine, 55, was introduced to Michael, 80, a film festival in 1996 and engaged three years later. Shortly after their engagement, the couple welcomed a son and married in 2000.

Social media users react

Social media users were left stunned by the couple’s age gap relationship – and nasty trolls were out in full force in the comments on the YouTube clip. 

One person said: “As a middle aged woman who’s probably close to her age, this makes me uncomfortable.” 

This is the one I’m supposed to be with, I just had to wait a long time for him to be born

Kay

Another added: “The prophet”s name is Visa.” 

A third warned: “Be careful girl. Scammers can be “in love” too!”

At the same time, someone else wrote: “Hope she has a lot of money to feed his whole family, why else would a 25 year old be with a woman in her 60s.”  

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FABIO WARDLEY has floored the baffling suggestion that he could fight his mentor and pal Dillian Whyte.

After following all of Wardley’s career, we were stunned to hear the idea even mooted from some clumsy pundits.

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But Wardley told SunSport with a laugh: “From the second it would be announced, everybody who knows the sport and who knows us, would know it would be fake and not something I would ever do, because of the amount of love, respect and admiration I have for Dills.

“People go on about my story, white-collar, coming from nowhere, sparring Usyk.

“But none of that is possible without Dillian at the beginning, giving me all of these opportunities.

“So I would never spit in his face and fight him.

“Even if all the sanctioning bodies called for the fight and somebody was silly enough to put all the money up, I would take a knee in the first round and give him the win.”

Ipswich’s 30-year-old former recruitment worker and white-collar boxer headlines Portman Road on Saturday night against tough Australian Justis Huni.

Whyte was due to feature on the Ipswich undercard but pulled out to secure a summer showdown with Lawrence Okolie.

He has not boxed in England since November 2022 and was supposed to have a rematch with Anthony Joshua in August 2023.

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FABIO WARDLEY VS JUSTIS HUNI: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUT

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But that O2 sell-out was scrapped when Whyte failed a doping test.

Whyte has boxed in Gibraltar and Ireland since that big-money clash was binned, landing underwhelming wins.

For Wardley, on June 16 his partner is scheduled to give birth to his first child, a bouncing baby girl.

For anyone else, the nail-biting fortnight would be a crippling rollercoaster of emotions impossible to combine. 

But the Suffolk Puncher – who went on an Oleksandr Usyk sparring trip to Ukraine in 2018 when he barely knew how to throw a jab – is loving the chaos.

The class act told SunSport: “June 2025 is going to be a wild month I talk a lot about, for the rest of my life.

“I will be an old man in a rocking chair, telling people about it and wondering how we pulled it off.

“Everything has come together at the same time, it might seem a bit hectic but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I thrive on it, I love the chaos.”

Nine months ago, the 18-0-1 ace got the wonderful news he would be a dad for the first time.

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And a few weeks later he got the offer of a lifetime, to headline at his boyhood football club, a chance that some Olympic and world champions never get.

It seems like a psychological and logistical nightmare that would be destined for the divorce courts but Team Wardley is way too tight.

“If my little girl is anything like me, then she’ll be chilled out and late, which will give me a little bit more time to decompress from the fight,” he grinned.

“The flight date has been moved around a few times but my missus has been unbelievable.

“I have just promised to her that, as soon as Saturday night is over, I am all theirs.

“This week, though, is just my week. I need to be totally focused on me and then it’s all on them.”

Wardley – who cracked 2020 Olympic bronze winner Frazer Clarke’s skull in their one-round rematch in October – somehow combines being a brutal boxer with being a lovely bloke and he insists that won’t change with another win or a baby.

“I don’t know how parenthood will affect me,” he said. “I do plan to be the fun-dad though. 

“I want mum to do the telling off. I think I will always be driven to push myself in everything, though. 

“That’s something just innate in me. And I am sure I will need to feed and stoke that fire regularly.”

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A WOMAN has threatened to “uninvite” two family members from her wedding after they complained about the menu choices.

Stef explained that her sister had contacted their relatives to ask why they hadn’t received an RSVP back from them for the nuptials.

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And when she did so, she found out the bizarre reason they’d delayed their response to the invite – despite the fact they insisted they were coming.

“I know they’ll be there, but I need to know their food options,” she said in a TikTok video.

“And the reason they gave for not RSVPing was there’s no fish on the menu!”

She said that she and her husband-to-be had given their guests a meat choice or a vegetarian choice for both the starter and the main course.

“If you don’t like the meat, then you can have a really lovely Parmigiana aubergine gnocchi,” she added.

“It’s amazing!”

Not only that, but the two family members actually eat meat.

“So my sister was like, ‘Right, okay, so you’re not gonna come to the wedding because there’s no fish on the menu?'” Stef continued.

“And they were like, ‘No, no, no, of course we’re gonna come, we just don’t really know what to say’.”

And when her sister asked the relatives whether or not they could eat either the vegetarian or meat option, they said they could, but “just really wanted fish”.

“Are you f**king joking?” Stef raged.

“I’m sorry, but my wedding is not a restaurant.

“You don’t get a full menu, you don’t get to choose from 10 different options.”

In addition, it would cost Stef an extra £10 per person to provide a meat, vegetarian AND fish option, as she noted: “It’s a 160 person wedding.

“I don’t f**king think so.

“My wedding is a two day event. You’re getting two lots of breakfast from me.

Average cost of a wedding in 2025

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000.  

• Food – £6,000
• Honeymoon – £4,329
• Wedding outfits – £3,500
• Entertainment – £2,000
• Engagement ring – £1,948
• Flowers – £1,110
• Wedding ring – £1,000
• Wedding transport – £700

Total = £20,587

“You’re getting a rehearsal dinner. You’re getting your wedding breakfast.

“You’re getting a pizza from the night of the wedding. I think you’re doing all right.

“It’s a free bar. Sit back and enjoy yourself.”

When the pair admitted the reason they hadn’t wanted to RSVP was because of the menu, Stef’s sister told them: “If you don’t like the food choices, then go f**k yourself”.

“Couldn’t agree more,” she added.

Sharing the tale on TikTok, Stef wrote: “Please tell me I’m not the only other person experiencing this level of crazy around their wedding?!”

People quickly obliged by sharing their own shocking stories in the comments section.

“Literally lost family members who threatened to not attend so I told them not to,” one said.

“Then a ‘friend’ said she’s not coming to my hen now because she had a disagreement over money with my maid of honour!”

“What is up with people and fish?!” another exclaimed.

“I was told I HAD to give a fish option. Excuse me. I hate fish so I give a fish option that means I the bride don’t have a choice on the day?”

“People are unhinged!” a third sighed

“We got married in Feb and some of the comments we got! The worst were from immediate family!!

“One moaned about the FREE wine choices on the table… don’t drink it!!”

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IF your child’s birthday is coming up and the thought of splashing the cash on a lavish cake sends shivers down your spine, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.

Many parents will know that ordering a personalised birthday cake can often end up costing hundreds of pounds.

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But in a bid to save cash, one savvy mum took matters into her own hands and was able to cut costs by DIY-ing her little darling’s birthday dessert.

Posting on social media, a mother named Amy shared a step-by-step tutorial of how she DIY-ed her daughter Myla’s pink birthday cake – and it cost her less than £20.

So if you’re on a budget and your purse is feeling tighter than ever before, then you’ll need to listen up. 

The UGC content creator explained that to celebrate her daughter turning one, she decorated the Pretty in Pink Lambeth Cake, which she bought from Waitrose.

The pink coloured golden sponge cake, which is filled with raspberry jam and topped and decorated with pale pink and dark pink buttercream, cost Amy just £18.

Then, using some pink icing and ribbons she already had, she was able to personalise the cake – and we think it looks incredibly professional.

Alongside a short clip shared online, the influencer penned: “Making my daughter’s first birthday cake, saving £100s!”

Showing off the box-fresh vintage-style cake, which is decorated with whirls and swirls of piping, Amy beamed: “Come with me to DIY my daughter’s first birthday cake for only £18!” 

Amy confirmed that she used letter cutters to cut out “Myla is one” in pink icing, which she placed on top of the cake.

Following this, she attached pretty pink bows, which she already had from Shein, and was able to stick these to the cake with cocktail sticks. 

We think Amy’s DIY cake looks brilliant and is a great way for those strapped for cash to save money, without having to scrimp on the celebrations. 

The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @mummyandmylaa, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 178,600 views.

Not only this, but it’s also amassed 2,782 likes, 31 comments and 780 saves. 

Social media users were impressed with the jaw-dropping cake and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. 

One person said: “Love that. Wish I hadn’t already ordered a cake almost the exact same.”

Another added: “This is genius!” 

A third commented: “Super cute!”

Not only this, but another parent beamed: “Omg that cake is adorable, I wish I knew about it before!” 

This is genius!

TikTok user

At the same time, one user wondered: “What it nice? I worry that supermarket cakes can be dry inside as they are sat on the aisle for a while.”

To this, the content creator replied and confirmed: “Not dry at all!!! 

“Honestly, it tasted AMAZING, no regrets!!!” 

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AS KING Canute found over a thousand years ago, it is quite difficult to stand on a beach and order the tide to recede. 

Today, it is equally difficult to make the argument that giving families cash is not always the best way of lifting them out of poverty. 

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This is especially true when one particular measure becomes the symbol of whether or not you’re on the right side of the debate about child poverty.

But as someone who now can afford the comforts of life, I constantly remind myself of my childhood.

The grinding poverty that I experienced when my father was killed
in a work accident when I was 12 – leaving my mother, who had serious health problems, to fight a long battle for minimal compensation.

Having only bread and dripping in the house was, by anyone’s standards, a hallmark of absolute poverty.

Why on earth would I question, therefore, the morality of reversing a Tory policy introduced eight years ago?

This restricts the additional supplement to universal credit – worth over £3,000 a child per year – to just two children. 

I should know, my friends tell me, that the easiest and quickest way of overcoming the growth in child poverty is to restore the £3.5 billion pounds it would cost to give this additional money for all the children in every family entitled to the credit.

It is true that the policy, introduced in 2017, failed its first test.

Women did not stop having more than two children even when they were strapped for cash. It is still unclear why. 

After all, many people have to make a calculation as to how many children they can afford.

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But one thing must be certain: namely, that if you give parents a relatively substantial additional amount of money for every child they have whilst entitled to benefits, they are likely to have more children.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said as much last week. His argument for restoring the benefit to the third and subsequent children was precisely that we needed to persuade low- income families to have more children.

Surely having children that you cannot afford to feed is the legacy of a bygone era?

All those earning below £60,000 are entitled to the basic child benefit, so the argument is about just over £60 a week extra per child.

One difficulty in having a sensible debate about what really works in overcoming intergenerational poverty is the lack of reliable statistics.

Some people have claimed, over recent days, that over 50 per cent of children in Manchester and Birmingham live in poverty. 

I fear that such claims should be treated with scepticism.

Those struggling to make ends meet – sometimes having not just one but two jobs – who pay their taxes and national insurance and plan their lives around what can be afforded, have the right to question where their hard-earned wages go.

The simple and obvious truth is that child poverty springs from the lack of income of the adults who care for them.

Transforming their lives impacts directly on the children in their family.

There is a limit to how much money taxpayers are willing to hand over to pay for another family’s children. 

Helping them to help themselves is a different matter.

So, what would I do?

Firstly, I would ensure that families with a disabled youngster automatically have the entitlement restored.

This would self-evidently apply also to multiple births. 

In both cases, life is not only more difficult, it is also harder to get and keep a job.

I would come down like a ton of bricks on absent parents.

My mum was a single parent because she was widowed; many others are single in the sense that the other partner has walked away.

The Child Maintenance Service should step up efforts to identify and pursue absent parents who do not pay their fair share towards their child. 

We, the community, have a clear duty to support and assist those in need.

To help those where a helping hand will restore them to independence and self-reliance.

But there is an obligation on individuals as well as the State, and mutual help starts with individuals taking some responsibility for themselves.

Finally, if (and this is where I am in full agreement with colleagues campaigning to dramatically reduce child poverty) we make substantial sums of money available to overcome hardship, then a comprehensive approach to supporting the families must surely be the best way to achieve this.

As ever in politics there is a trade off. What you spend on handing over cash is not available to invest in public services: that is the reality.

Help from the moment a child is born, not just with childcare but with nurturing and child development.

Dedicated backing to gain skills and employment and to taper the
withdrawal of help so that it genuinely becomes worthwhile having and keeping a job. 

A contract between the taxpayer and the individual or household.
Government is about difficult choices, that is why Keir Starmer and his colleagues are agonising over what to do next.

AN ULTRA-MARATHON runner has won an epic 100km race – whilst stopping to BREASTFEED along the way.

Stephanie Case, 43, took on the gruelling Ultra-Trail Snowdonia race in Wales on May 17.

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Case had not raced in three years before lining up on the start line for the outrageous physical test.

It was the first time the human rights lawyer from Canada had run competitively since the birth of her daughter Pepper in November.

And she wasn’t about to let the race get in the way of the six-month-old’s meal times.

Case’s partner John met her at checkpoints throughout the race, handing the 43-year-old food to refuel.

While Stephanie would also feed Pepper before getting back into her running.

She said: “It was truly like riding a bike – every kilometre that passed reminded me that I hadn’t lost a thing over the last three years.

“In fact, I have gained way more joy and strength from this sport as a mum than I ever did before. 

“While it broke my heart to leave little Pepper at the aid stations, I wanted to show her – both of us – how amazing mum runners can be.”

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After starting 30 minutes behind the elite runners, Case had no idea she had crossed the finish line in the fastest time.

She laughed: “The race officials came to me and they were like, ‘You actually won.’

“They asked me ‘Can you run through the tape again for the cameras?'”

Case added: “I’m not extraordinary.

“I had a baby, I ran a race. It should be a totally normal thing.

“Everyone has an opinion about what new mums should or shouldn’t be doing, and that doesn’t open up a lot of. space for out there ideas like running an ultra.

“I’m lucky to be physically okay after childbirth. Others aren’t so lucky.

“There is no ‘comeback’ after childbirth. There is just the next phase.

“And whatever it looks like, whether on or off the trail, it’ll be right for you.”

CALLUM WILSON revealed he contemplated suicide aged 12 and how seeking therapy a year ago saved him from the demons.

The father-of-two forward, whose Newcastle contract expires next month, bravely spoke out during Mental Health Awareness week and hopes his story will inspire others to ask for help.

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England international Wilson, 33, bared all about growing up in Coventry as one of six children with a single mum and with a different dad to his siblings.

The Leeds transfer target spent time in foster care and had to regularly use food banks while also staying in safe houses after witnessing domestic violence at home.

He told the High Performance podcast: “I cried myself to sleep at night. I got to about 12, 13 – it was like suicidal moments.

“When I say I cried myself to sleep, I was just praying to God like ‘take me out of this environment, I want to become a footballer’.”

He admitted: “I’ve walked alongside the train track and was building up the courage to jump basically in front of the train.

“I’ve tied cables around my bedroom rail and my PlayStation remote controller to see if it was strong enough to hold my weight.

“Football really was my saviour, it was my escape.”

Wilson, though, refuses to blame his mother for any of his unstable upbringing, saying: “It was my mum on her own, all my siblings in the house.

“We had a three bedroom council house. Food was sparing to come by. That, along with a bit of turmoil.

“I probably have a lot of aggression from that point, but football was a place that I could be aggressive in my position on the pitch and it would be ok. So it was like a release really.”

Despite all of the success in his career on the pitch, Wilson admitted that he had started to become more aggressive over recent years and he started to gamble.

Though he hailed a Newcastle physio for spotting he needed help and making him take it – which felt “like a weight was lifted” after the very first session.

He added: “Once I started speaking, and revealed everything I’ve been through in life, she was like ‘Wow, how have you got to this point already without not seeing a therapist?’

“I speak to my wife about it, but I didn’t want to blur the lines with our relationship.

“She’s not my therapist, she’s my wife and the mother of my children, so I didn’t want to burden her with problems.

“You can speak to a therapist and it does feel a sense of relief afterwards.

“It’s an investment in yourself and more than worth it. I’m probably learning a lot about myself now – little traits that I have that were obviously triggered by things as a kid. I’m really happy.”

Meanwhile, Wilson appeared to wave goodbye to Newcastle with a tearful solo lap of honour round the St. James’ pitch on Sunday after the Magpies had secured Champions League qualification.

Although Magpies boss Eddie Howe refused to rule out a potential stay.

Howe said: “Let’s wait and see. We’re going to sit down and talk with his representatives.

“What I can say is Callum Wilson is and has been just an incredible footballer for Newcastle.

“Someone who epitomises the spirit that’s got us to where we are really professional. Brave.

“To come here and be the No.9 in the manner and the moment that he did in the club’s history.

“It was a difficult moment and the club needed hope and Callum gave them hope, led the line with that responsibility and the pressure that role brings unbelievably.

“He brings a positivity to the group. He’s a leader within the change room. He’s just been incredible and let’s wait and see what happens.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.

EXPECTANT parents or those with young children may be able to get free milk from shops and supermarkets, thanks to a health eating scheme.

The initiative also provides nourishing food for free including fruit, vegetables and pulses.

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The NHS Healthy Start scheme is available to those expecting a baby or with children under four.

You’ll also need be on selected benefits such as Universal Credit.

If you’re eligible you could get up to £442 a year for essentials to feed your family.

The scheme also provides free vitamins to mothers and children.

Here’s what you need to know…

Can I use Healthy Start?

To be accepted for Healthy Start, you’ll need to be on one of the following benefits:

• Child Tax Credit (only if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit ( including the child addition)
• Universal Credit, if your family’s take-home pay is £408 or less per month from employment
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

However, if you’re under 18 and pregnant you can claim, even if you are not claiming any benefits.

How do I get the free food?

The funds to buy food is given through a prepaid card which can be used in any shop or supermarket that accepts Mastercard.

This includes major supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, as well as many smaller food shops.

The Healthy Start card is topped up every four weeks.

How much will I get?

You’ll get £4.25 each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week, £8.50 each week for children from birth to one, and £4.25 each week for children between one and four.

This works out as up to £442 worth of free food over a year.

The scheme stops when your child is four, or if you no longer receive benefits.

What can I use the card to buy?

With the funds you can buy plain cow’s milk or baby formula milk

You can also be used to buy fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables, as well as fresh, dried, and tinned pulses.

You can also use the card to get free vitamin supplements.

These are tablets for women and drops for children.

How do I get the vitamins?

Women can get Healthy Start vitamin tablets while they’re pregnant and up to their child’s 1st birthday.

Children can have free Healthy Start vitamin drops from the age of four weeks until their 4th birthday.

Children who are having 500ml or more of formula a day do not need Healthy Start vitamins.

How do I apply?

Apply for the healthy start scheme online on the government website.

You can also print out a paper form from the Heathy Start website here or ask for one from your GP or midwife.

If you can’t apply online, or you need help applying, contact NHS Healthy Start on 0300 330 7010 or by emailing [email protected]

To apply, you will need to provide some basic details such as you name and address, plus your National Insurance number and benefit award letter.

AN ELECTRICIAN heroically smashed his way into a burning home to help save two people from a fire which killed a mum and three of her children.

Victor Pedra heard a dad crying and screaming “my children, my wife, my whole family is in there” at around 1.15am on Saturday.

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He bravely ran towards the flames and broke a lower floor window to gain access to his neighbour’s house in Brent, west London.

The dad-of-two helped rescue a grandmother aged in her 70s, who has been released from hospital, and her teen granddaughter who remains in intensive care.

But a 43-year-old mum and her other three children aged 15, eight and four, all tragically died at the scene.

Victor, 33, said: “I heard the dad outside crying and screaming ‘my children, my wife, my whole family is in there’. He was in shock and couldn’t really speak.

“I had gone outside and saw people standing around watching these huge flames so I just knew I had to act. I cut my hand breaking the window.

“The grandmother and one of the daughters managed to get out safely. The only way they could escape was through the garden as the front door was blocked by the fire.

“The flames were so strong and there was smoke everywhere. I couldn’t get to the second floor where the mum and her youngest son was.

“I also had to wake up the people in the house next door before it caught fire as they were all sleeping and hadn’t realised.

“Firefighters managed to bring the mum and one of the sons out and attempted CPR for about an hour but it was no use.

“They also managed to bring the other son and eldest daughter out from the top floor but sadly it was too late for them. It was really tough to see.

“I couldn’t sleep that night as I just kept hearing the screams from inside the house.”

His partner Leticia Maria, 31, added: “I was speechless. One of the firefighters was my friend but I didn’t even recognise him from the shock.

“It all happened so quickly. The fire seemed to take hold instantly. It seemed like it started from the top down because it wasn’t as strong at the bottom.

“The little girl managed to escape and was covered in black stuff from the smoke. She looked about 12-years-old.

“No one knows what caused the fire but you could hear explosions like things were popping.

“All the children must have been sleeping at that time. It’s just such a tragedy.”

Brent councillor Tariq Dar MBE named Usman Ghani, known as Ozzy, as the man who lost his wife and three children in the tragic fire.

He wrote on Facebook: “It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of the wife and three beloved children—a daughter and two young sons—of Brother Usman Ghani in a tragic house fire in Wembley last night.

“Please remember the entire family in your heartfelt duas during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Met Police arrested a 41-year-old man who remains in custody on suspicion of murder.

Firefighters were supervising today while specialist workers secured the terraced home so detectives can investigate safely.

Six bouquets of flowers and a large blue teddy bear were left at the large police cordon surrounding the estate near Wembley Stadium.

A friend who knew the family well said: “It’s very sad. They were such loving and friendly people and will be dearly missed by everyone.

“Usman would always give me good advice. If something ran out like my milk or eggs, I would always go and borrow from them and it would never be a problem.

“He bought this house and worked very hard in a warehouse through an agency. He used to be a bus driver but had to stop due to health issues.

“The family are practising Muslims and were originally from Pakistan when Usman’s parents moved here over 25 years ago. His dad died a couple of years ago.

“I would always see the kids playing outside. It’s making me tear up thinking I will never see them again now the family is broken.

“They had just started half term and it makes me really sad thinking they won’t be going back to school.”

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WANT to give your fussy kids vitamins to make up for them refusing fruit and veg? You’re not alone.

About 16 per cent of youngsters take supplements.

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But a new report shows some gummies contain more sugar than kids’ favourite Haribo sweets.

Today I look at ways to get vitamins into your children without dosing them up on sugar too . . . 

Gummies

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BASSETTS makes various kids’ vitamins.

Its Soft & Chewy Multivitamin gummies in summer berries flavour are for ages 12 to 18 – perfect for those that may not be eating their five a day.

They contain nutrients to support teenagers’ health, including vitamins C and D to aid the immune system, and B2 and B12 to help reduce tiredness and fatigue.

Although these don’t contain sugar they do have sweeteners – maltitol, sorbitol and sucralose – which are said to be safe for children.

These aren’t for vegetarians as they contain gelatine which comes from cows but they taste great with a berry flavour.

Summer Berries gummies, 30 for £7. bassettsvitamins.co.uk

Powder

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JUNIOR REVIVE is a supplement that contains 12 vitamins and six minerals.

It has four fruit and vegetable powders, beta glucans (a fibre that can stimulate the immune system), live friendly bacteria (for gut health) and choline (a nutrient similar to B vitamins).

All these support a child’s immunity, energy and mental performance.

This is designed for children over four and up to 12 and comes in little sachets.

You simply add one sachet to 100ml of water or into a smoothie, yoghurt or juice. I love the fact this is unflavoured and is a great all-rounder.

Because it has no flavour there are no sweeteners either. I love this.

From £14.92 for a box of 20 or 75p a sachet. reviveactive.com

Spray

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ORAL sprays feature tiny droplets that absorb quickly into your mouth and then directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system.

BetterYou Multivitamin kids’ oral spray has 14 essential vitamins and is free from sugar, gluten artificial colours and additives. It contains the full spectrum of B vitamins, including folic acid, combined with vitamin A, vitamin C, K1 and vitamin D.

Suitable for youngsters aged over one year.

Despite having no sugar this “chocolate and marshmallow” flavour (which my kid loved) is very, very sweet.

This is due to the sweetener xylitol which is generally considered safe for children when used in moderation and comes from plant fibres.

The 25ml bottle contains a 32-day supply and you need to have four sprays a day.

Starts at £8.46. betteryou.com