Minister challenged as parties slug it out over family values

The Cabinet Minister was challenged over the issue by Mumsnet co-founder Justine Roberts as he unveiled new proposals from the Government to boost the role of fathers.

Mr Balls was read a message from a woman in Leeds who gave birth to her first baby in September. She said: "Get rid of the leaflets, employ more midwives and health visitors, they are in desperately short supply."

Ms Roberts, co-founder of the website, said: "I do think, from Mumsnet what we see is, what people really are crying out for, is some really excellent professional hands-on help in the early days after birth and at home in the first week, particularly in establishing breastfeeding.

"We did a survey last year - 52 per cent of women said they would breastfeed longer and have had a less stressful experience if they had more support from both midwives and health visitors.

"I think the number of health visitors has actually fallen in the last five years."

Her remarks came as the Tories said they would include a pledge for an additional 4,200 health visitors in their election manifesto.

Mr Balls, who was unveiling a guide for new fathers, said: "I have been totally clear, as has Andy Burnham, the Health Minister, we have got to see more health visitors, we have got a plan there which is being led by the Chief Nursing Officer. I want lots more health visitors in the future."