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Food banks' ban on infant formula
An investigation by the Sunday Times has found that major national foodbanks currently do not collect or distribute formula milk due to confusing guidance, putting the health and wellbeing of vulnerable infants and their families at risk. We are calling on the Government to urgently clarify that there is no legal impediment to provision of first infant formula at food and baby banks, to reassure these organisations that they can provide this vital source of nutrition for babies who are formula fed.
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This is leaving parents desperate to feed their babies when they are unable to afford or access formula.
“I wanted to do everything I possibly could for my daughter, especially to provide her with food."
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UK law allows for direct provision of first infant formula, as do international guidelines, however, UNICEF UK guidelines recommend against the direct provision of formula at UK baby and foodbanks.
This is not about promoting formula, or discouraging breastfeeding. This is about ensuring families are able to access suitable food for their child.
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In Conversation with Diane Munday
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We are holding a one-off event with veteran pro-choice campaigner Diane Munday. Diane was a key member of the Abortion Law Association and helped bring in the 1967 Abortion Act. Our event ‘In Conversation with Diane Munday’ will see Diane talk about her activism days throughout the 1960s, her current campaign work and will also allow participants to ask their own questions for Diane to answer.
Our event ‘In Conversation with Diane Munday’ will be held over Zoom on Tuesday 17th November 2020 from 1pm – 2pm.
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Diane Munday began campaigning for reproductive rights in the 60s, after her own backstreet abortion. Diane was married with three children under the age of 4 when we found herself pregnant again in 1961, instantly she was certain that she couldn’t have another child. At the time, it was illegal for women to terminate a pregnancy and for medical professionals to perform abortions – meaning both Diane and the professional could be jailed for life.
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Since then, Diane has dedicated her life to ensuring choice lies with the hands of individuals – not doctors, Government or the law.
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Thank you as always for your support.
Best wishes,
The BPAS team
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You can support our work defending and extending reproductive rights by becoming a Friend of BPAS, from as little as £2 per month.
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 We Trust Women
Under a law from 1861 any woman, anywhere in the UK, can go to prison for ending a pregnancy without the permission of two doctors. MPs support change, but we need the opportunity to make it happen. We are considering several legislative routes.
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 Preventing clinic protests
Anti-abortion activism targeted at clinics is on the rise in the UK. We are working to introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics to protect women and staff from intimidation and harassment. So far two buffer zones have been introduced, and more are in the pipeline.
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 Fighting the two-child benefits cap
The two-child benefits cap pushes families into poverty and impacts women's reproductive decisions. We are working with other UK charities to fight it. Read our briefing here.
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 Just Say Non!
Our campaign for accessible emergency contraception has seen prices slashed across major pharmacy chains. We're now working to make it available straight from the pharmacy shelf, without a mandatory consultation – as already happens in the USA, Canada, and many European countries.
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 Improving access to contraception
We're working with pharmacists nationwide to improve access to several methods of contraception, including the injection and the pill.
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 Working with women in prisons
Our contraceptive counselling & well woman advice service in Europe's largest women’s prison, HMP Bronzefield, was an RCNi Nurse Awards finalist. We provide confidential, non-judgemental counselling & education to aid women's wellbeing & rehabilitation.
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 Decriminalisation further afield
We’ve been working with pro-choice campaigners and the governments of the Isle of Man and Gibraltar to change their laws outlawing abortion and help them provide care for their citizens.
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 Wrisk
Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy are bombarded with public health messages, for example about what to eat, drink, how much they should weigh, and what medications they should or shouldn’t take. The WRISK project aims to understand and improve the communication of risk in pregnancy, to make things better for women.
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