Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
1
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issue…
Accepted
We support the principle that schools and local authorities should have multiple options, such as food parcels and vouchers, for providing free school meals to their pupils. They are best placed to know what works best for their communities. It is important that families have the flexibility to meet their …
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We support the principle that schools and local authorities should have multiple options, such as food parcels and vouchers, for providing free school meals to their pupils. They are best placed to know what works best for their communities. It is important that families have the flexibility to meet their specific needs and preferences.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that with schools reopened, children can access free meals. For self-isolating children, schools are encouraged to provide food parcels or have the option to purchase local food vouchers, aligning with the principle of multiple options and local flexibility.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
3
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issue…
Accepted
We know that during lockdown food insecurity is particularly likely amongst those eligible for free school meals. Therefore, in the event of another lockdown, Government should ensure that families of children who would normally receive free school meals continue to be able to feed their children.
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We know that during lockdown food insecurity is particularly likely amongst those eligible for free school meals. Therefore, in the event of another lockdown, Government should ensure that families of children who would normally receive free school meals continue to be able to feed their children.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that schools are now reopened and children can access free meals. For self-isolating children, schools are encouraged to provide food parcels or local vouchers, and the response highlights existing schemes like the Holiday Activities and Food programme and the Covid-19 Winter Grant …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
4
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issue…
Accepted
Although the intention of the food parcels scheme during the first lockdown was to provide food to the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, it also had the effect of supporting wholesalers. However, it is right that in designing its support for the vulnerable, the Government has focussed on the needs of recipients …
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Although the intention of the food parcels scheme during the first lockdown was to provide food to the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, it also had the effect of supporting wholesalers. However, it is right that in designing its support for the vulnerable, the Government has focussed on the needs of recipients and not suppliers.
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Government response AI summary
The government affirms its continued "recipient-first approach" for supporting the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, citing priority access to supermarket delivery slots and regulations to ensure recipient needs are prioritized over retailer interests.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
5
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issue…
Accepted
During the 2021 lockdown, the Government has relied more heavily on supermarkets to provide food to vulnerable groups. We support the principle that where possible people should be supported to shop for themselves. However, if the Government is directing custom towards supermarkets, it should be publicly asking them to accommodate …
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During the 2021 lockdown, the Government has relied more heavily on supermarkets to provide food to vulnerable groups. We support the principle that where possible people should be supported to shop for themselves. However, if the Government is directing custom towards supermarkets, it should be publicly asking them to accommodate the needs of the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV), elderly and disabled people. For example, by lowering minimum spends and removing delivery charges for CEV customers. However, a disproportionate number of people with disabilities are digitally excluded through not having access to the necessary equipment or skills. However, if the Government is directing custom towards supermarkets, it should be publicly asking them to accommodate the needs of the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV), elderly and disabled people. For example, by lowering minimum spends and removing delivery charges for CEV customers. However, a disproportionate number of people with disabilities are digitally excluded through not having access to the necessary equipment or skills. Therefore, whilst recognising the good work of the charitable sector, the Government must ensure that local authorities are properly resourced, and that retailers recognise their responsibility, to assist those who are digitally excluded in making food orders for delivery. (Paragraph 23) 24 Covid-19 and the issues of security in food supply
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms ongoing conversations with supermarkets to convey concerns about delivery charges and accessibility for vulnerable groups. It also highlights local authorities' efforts, supported by government, to assist digitally excluded residents with food orders and emphasizes retailers' duties under the Equality Act.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
6
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issue…
Accepted
It is imperative that food retailers ensure that their stores are accessible to disabled people. We recognise the challenges faced in adapting stores to social distancing in the early months of the pandemic, but there is no excuse for ongoing barriers. All food retailers must ensure that reasonable adjustments are …
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It is imperative that food retailers ensure that their stores are accessible to disabled people. We recognise the challenges faced in adapting stores to social distancing in the early months of the pandemic, but there is no excuse for ongoing barriers. All food retailers must ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to ensure that disabled people are not disproportionally hampered by additional in-store covid-19 measures. Where reasonable adjustments are not made the law should be properly enforced.
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Government response AI summary
The government reaffirms that all food retailers must comply with the law and make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers, and states Defra is actively promoting EHRC guidance and working with the EHRC and British Retail Consortium to address accessibility concerns.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
11
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issue…
Accepted
We support the Chancellor’s announcement in the Budget that the hospitality sector will continue to receive at least the same level of financial support. However, we remain concerned that those who supply them have not received the same level of financial support. Many of these suppliers are small businesses, who …
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We support the Chancellor’s announcement in the Budget that the hospitality sector will continue to receive at least the same level of financial support. However, we remain concerned that those who supply them have not received the same level of financial support. Many of these suppliers are small businesses, who will be particularly vulnerable as the economy starts to re-open. Both hospitality providers, and many public sector organisations, are reliant on them. The Government’s support to hospitality businesses will be wasted if their supply chain collapses. We therefore recommend that the Government urgently assesses the impact of the closures to the hospitality sector on its suppliers, especially small businesses, and provides additional financial support to them during the period of reopening.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the impact on suppliers and commits to ongoing engagement and monitoring through existing forums. It highlights the new £1.5 billion Business Rates relief fund, for which wholesalers and other suppliers are eligible, providing additional financial support as recommended.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs