7
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issue…
Accepted in Part
Without proper data, we cannot take action on the scale required and targeted at those in greatest need to tackle the causes and consequences of food insecurity. Data from charities indicate that many more people are food insecure as a result of the pandemic. The food security report under the …
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Without proper data, we cannot take action on the scale required and targeted at those in greatest need to tackle the causes and consequences of food insecurity. Data from charities indicate that many more people are food insecure as a result of the pandemic. The food security report under the Agriculture Act due by the end of this year must contain up-to-date data on the scale of food insecurity, as well as the make-up of households that have food insecurity (for example, data that is broken down into age groups to assess the prevalence of food insecurity in households that contain children). We welcome the Government’s decision to reduce the maximum gap between these reports to three years from five. However, as the Minister said, there is nothing stopping it producing more regular reports. The food security report under the Agriculture Act due by the end of this year must contain up-to-date data on the scale of food insecurity, as well as the make-up of households that have food insecurity (for example, data that is broken down into age groups to assess the prevalence of food insecurity in households that contain children). We welcome the Government’s decision to reduce the maximum gap between these reports to three years from five. However, as the Minister said, there is nothing stopping it producing more regular reports. It should use that flexibility to produce annual reports, at least for the next few years while we understand the impact of the pandemic and also the impact of Brexit and other changes to the UK’s trading relationships.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees to include up-to-date data on food insecurity, including household make-up, in the 2021 Agriculture Act report. However, it rejects producing annual reports, stating that annual food security statistics will be published instead due to the slow-moving nature of many trends.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
12
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issue…
Accepted in Part
We welcome the Minister’s assurances that there is no intention to extend the relaxation of competition law for retailers. We repeat our recommendation that the Government and Competition and Markets Authority should review whether the relaxation of competition law has been detrimental to consumers and suppliers to large retailers during …
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We welcome the Minister’s assurances that there is no intention to extend the relaxation of competition law for retailers. We repeat our recommendation that the Government and Competition and Markets Authority should review whether the relaxation of competition law has been detrimental to consumers and suppliers to large retailers during the pandemic. The Government should also proactively seek to reverse the loss of market share by small retailers and the hospitality sector; and to encourage greater market access for locally produced foods. It should also help facilitate digital support for local businesses. (Paragraph 51) 26 Covid-19 and the issues of security in food supply
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the CMA has been monitoring competition issues since March 2020 and outlines existing efforts to promote British food and build demand for local produce. For digital support, it accepts the recommendation by detailing the 'Help to Grow: Digital' scheme, which provides …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs