Several national charities are calling for the Healthy Start scheme to be updated, including Sustain, The Food Foundation, and Feeding Britain.

Newcastle-based Feeding Britain director Andrew Forsey said: “Given the increases in food prices that are coming our way in the months ahead we need every layer of protection possible for families on the lowest incomes.”

He said the government should make Healthy Start an auto-enrollment scheme for eligible families.

“The government can use the data and the technology at its disposal to register parents automatically, just to lift some of the burden off parents’ shoulders,” he said.

Labour MP for South Shields, Emma Lewell, said she had been campaigning to try and ensure the allocated money does not return to the Treasury if unclaimed.

“It just feels like such a no brainer,” she said.

“The money is there, the government have it, it’s not going to the people who need it and there’s things we can do to make sure it does, but they’re not being done.

“I’m really frustrated.”

Charities are also calling on the Department for Health and Social Care to release updated figures on enrollment on the scheme.

The NHS stopped publishing data in January 2023 due to an inaccuracy that was discovered and this has not since been rectified.

It means charities and local authorities cannot track who might be missing out.

The department has been approached for comment.

Follow BBC North East on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external.

Investors must hold shares of these companies in their demat accounts on the respective record dates to be eligible for the announced corporate actions. The list remains tentative, as more companies may announce record dates for dividends, bonus issues and stock splits during the week.

Here is a day-wise list of corporate actions to watch out for:

September 21 (Monday)

Around 55 companies, including Bharat Dynamics, Dixon Tech and others, have fixed September 21 (Monday) as the record date for their respective dividends. Maharashtra Scooters has announced a dividend of Rs 160 per share for its shareholders, the highest among the lot turning ex-record date on Monday. Bajaj Holdings and Investments will pay Rs 65 per share, while Southern Gas will pay Rs 60 per share.

Live Events

Monte Carlo Fashions and KJMC Financial Services will each turn ex-record date on Monday for a Rs 20 dividend, while Dixon Technologies will pay Rs 10 per share. Defence major Bharat Dynamics (BEL) will pay a final dividend of Rs 0.4 per share, while Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) will pay a final dividend of Rs 1 per share.
Among other high dividend payers, Kingfa Science & Technology (India) has announced a dividend of Rs 20 per share, while Vedant Fashions will pay Rs 7.75 per share. Maithan Alloys and ISGEC Heavy Engineering will pay a final dividend of Rs 6 per share each, and Jeena Sikho Lifecare will distribute Rs 4.5 per share.Also read | Tata Sons IPO: Why Tata Chemicals may be the biggest beneficiary although Tata Motors, Tata Steel own bigger stake

CyberTech Systems And Software has declared a dividend of Rs 4 per share, followed closely by Indo-National at Rs 3.75 per share and Mercury Laboratories at Rs 3.5 per share. Meanwhile, Alicon Castalloy, Chaman Lal Setia Exports, and Pee Cee Cosma Sope will each pay Rs 3 per share.

A group of companies, including Rolcon Engineering Company (Rs 2.5 per share), GTPL Hathway (Rs 2 per share), Gujarat Apollo Industries (Rs 2 per share), PNB Gilts (Rs 2 per share), and Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation (Rs 2 per share), will turn ex-record date on Monday.

Two firms will pay a dividend of Rs 1.5 per share, including All E Technologies and Asian Star Company. Cords Cable Industries will pay Rs 1.2 per share. Meanwhile, a cluster of companies will distribute a dividend of Rs 1 per share. These include CG-VAK Software & Exports, Divyashakti, Keynote Financial Services, Sreeleathers, Sugal & Damani Share Brokers, Veto Switchgears And Cables, and Zota Health Care.

Moving to payouts below Rs 1, Cargotrans Maritime will offer Rs 0.7 per share, Slone Infosystems will pay Rs 0.6 per share, and Jai Corp, Manali Petrochemicals, Shivalik Rasayan, Bright Outdoor Media, Uday Jewellery Industries, and ABC India will each pay Rs 0.5 per share.

Additionally, Riddhi Corporate Services has declared a dividend of Rs 0.49 per share, Krishival Foods will pay Rs 0.35 per share, and GEM Enviro Management will distribute Rs 0.25 per share. Lancor Holdings will offer two separate payouts, including a final dividend of Rs 0.2 per share and a special dividend of Rs 0.1 per share. Oricon Enterprises and Rasi Electrodes will also pay Rs 0.2 per share each.

September 22 (Tuesday)

Over 50 companies, including IRCTC and BEML, will trade ex-dividend on September 22 (Tuesday). Leading the pack with the largest individual payout, GOCL Corporation has announced a final dividend of Rs 30 per share. BEML follows with a dividend of Rs 12.28 per share, while National Peroxide will pay Rs 7 per share.

Among other notable dividend-paying companies, Mallcom (India), Kilburn Engineering, and Repco Home Finance will each pay Rs 3 per share. Lakshmi Finance & Industrial Corporation and Ruchira Papers will distribute Rs 2.5 per share each, while Hindustan Composites and Coral Laboratories will pay a final dividend of Rs 2 per share.

In the intermediate tier, KIFS Financial Services has declared a dividend of Rs 1.55 per share, Jamna Auto Industries will pay Rs 1.5 per share, and NIBE will offer Rs 1.3 per share. Tera Software will distribute Rs 1.2 per share, while Effwa Infra & Research, Quality Power Electrical Equipments, Brace Port Logistics, Beekay Steel Industries, and several others will pay Rs 1 per share.

Hindustan Tin Works will offer Rs 0.75 per share, followed by KJMC Corporate Advisors at Rs 0.7 per share. Meanwhile, Remus Pharmaceuticals, Commercial Syn Bags, Deccan Cements, Lambodhara Textiles, and IRCTC will each distribute Rs 0.5 per share. Titan Bio-Tech and Kataria Industries will also pay Rs 0.5 per share.

Also read | Motilal Oswal sees surging steel prices to offset cost inflation for metal majors. Here are its top stock picks

Lower-value payouts include SMS Pharmaceuticals at Rs 0.4 per share, along with KP Energy and NLC India at Rs 0.25 per share each. Aveer Foods, Best Agrolife, and RIR Power Electronics will distribute Rs 0.1 to Rs 0.25 per share. KPI Green Energy will offer two separate payouts on Tuesday, including a final dividend of Rs 0.25 per share alongside a special dividend of Rs 0.15 per share. HFCL will pay Rs 0.2 per share.

Additionally, TAAL Tech Ltd. will turn ex-record date for a 1:5 stock split.

September 23 (Wednesday)

Over 40 companies, including Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) are set to trade ex-dividend on September 23 (Wednesday). Leading the day’s highest payouts, GMDC has announced a final dividend of Rs 9.5 per share for its shareholders. Tyche Industries follows with a dividend of Rs 3.5 per share, while Goodluck India and Talbros Engineering will each pay Rs 3 per share.

In the Rs 2 to Rs 2.25 range, ICE Make Refrigeration has declared a final dividend of Rs 2.25 per share, while Gallantt Ispat will distribute Rs 2 per share to its eligible shareholders.

Among other notable dividend-paying stocks, Steel Strips Wheels, Asahi Songwon Colors, and Haleos Labs will each pay Rs 1.5 per share. Mishra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI) will offer a final dividend of Rs 1.25 per share, while HLE Glascoat and JG Chemicals will pay Rs 1.1 per share each.

A sizable group of companies will pay a flat Rs 1 per share dividend on Wednesday, including Titagarh Rail Systems, Trident Techlabs, Sri KPR Industries, Sunlite Recycling Industries, Rox Hi-Tech and Rithwik Facility Management Services.

Also read | Mukul Agrawal’s portfolio: Top 5 stock holdings and their one-month performance

For payouts under Rs 1, Him Teknoforge, Vipul Organics, and Austere Systems will each distribute Rs 0.8 per share. Hariom Pipe Industries will pay Rs 0.75 per share, followed by Dhabriya Polywood at Rs 0.7 per share, Skyways Air Services at Rs 0.65 per share, and PNC Infratech along with Aristo Bio-Tech and Lifescience at Rs 0.6 per share.

Mid-to-lower payouts include Shalibhadra Finance, Signet Industries, New Swan Multitech, Creative Newtech, Premier Explosives, and QMS Medical Allied Services, all paying Rs 0.5 per share. Satia Industries will offer Rs 0.4 per share, while KP Green Engineering will pay Rs 0.3 per share. Meanwhile, Recode Studios, Shree Karni Fabcom, and Confidence Futuristic Energetech will each pay Rs 0.25 per share.

Closing out the day with minor dividend distributions below Rs 0.2 per share, Trishakti Industries, Sotac Pharmaceuticals, and Kemistar Corporation will each pay Rs 0.2 per share, while Vintage Coffee & Beverages will offer Rs 0.15 per share. Payouts of Rs 0.1 per share will be distributed by Syncom Formulations, Sera Investments & Finance, Remsons Industries, Dev Information Technology, Dhanashree Electronics, Emerald Finance, and Confidence Petroleum India. Finally, lower payouts under Rs 0.1 per share will be offered by XT Global Infotech, Basant Agro Tech, KMS Medisurgi, Odyssey Corporation, Pashupati Cotspin, Inani Marbles, RM Drip and Sprinklers, Last Mile Enterprises, and Tandhan Industries.

September 24 (Thursday)

Thursday would see a comparatively fewer corporate actions, with only two companies fixing their record date on that day. Engineers India (EIL) shares will turn ex-record date for a final dividend of Rs 2.5 per share.

Adtech Systems also has fixed Thursday as the record date for its dividend of Rs 1.1 per share.

Also read | Stocks to buy: BofA lists 22 Indian stocks as key picks as it turns bullish on Nifty after 2 years

September 25 (Friday)

A total of six stocks are set to turn ex-date on September 25 (Friday) for their respective corporate actions, including dividend payouts and stock splits. Sri Lotus Developers and Realty leads the dividend announcements, declaring a final dividend of Rs 0.5 per share.

Meanwhile, LGT Global Hospitality and Shreeji Global FMCG will each distribute a final dividend of Rs 0.25 per share. On the lower end of payouts, Noble Polymers will turn ex-dividend for a final dividend of Rs 0.05 per share.

In addition to dividend distributions, two companies will undergo stock splits on Friday. These include Midwest Energy (1:10 stock split) and Naturite Agro Products (1:2 stock split).

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times).