National health service primary care trusts are responsible for the provision of breastfeeding support services at a local level, for example, through the development of local area action plans. As a result, the majority of expenditure on breastfeeding is at a local level. Figures relating to local spend on breastfeeding are not available.
The following table shows the cost of breastfeeding promotion at a national level in relation to the number of live births in England.
Financial year Departmental spend on promotion of breastfeeding and infant nutrition1 (£) Number of live births in England2 2003-04 462,000 597,256 2004-05 747,000 606,218 2005-06 743,000 Not available 1 These figures do not include the cost of local services and local promotional activity. 2 These figures are for women who are normally resident in England.