Pregnant women will, from tomorrow, be entitled to a £190 "health in pregnancy" grant from the government.

The little-publicised grant, written about in Cash in February, is available to all expectant mothers irrespective of their household income.

The money can be claimed from the 25th week of pregnancy, but only after receiving health advice from a midwife or other professional. Women who claimed in the first three months of this year should get their payment in April.

The aim of the grant is to ensure that all pregnant women have funds available to help them eat well in the run-up to giving birth, reducing infant mortality rates. Women can, however, spend the money on whatever they want.

"The grant answers an important, and until now unmet, need for families expecting a child," said Kate Green, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group.