The milk scheme entitles children under five at approved daycare facilities to receive a third of a pint free each day

Theresa May is poised to announce cuts to a long-running nursery milk scheme to find funds to pay for healthy food vouchers for low-income parents, The Times has learnt.

The decision has prompted concern among Conservative MPs and led Labour to make comparisons with Margaret Thatcher “the milk snatcher”.

Ministers are to announce a consultation on increasing the value of the healthy start scheme as part of the obesity strategy. It provides vouchers for pregnant low-income women and those with children aged under four that can be exchanged for fresh or frozen fruit or vegetables. The scheme is open only to those with a take-home pay of £408 per month or less.

Ministers at the Department of Health and Social Care proposed this month that