Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Paragraph: 72
One of the key questions for our inquiry was what the COVID-19 pandemic had shown...
Recommendation
One of the key questions for our inquiry was what the COVID-19 pandemic had shown about our food system, not just in terms of food supply, but also demand. There are clearly millions of people whose ability to afford sufficient, nutritious food has been severely disrupted or worsened. Lessons must be learnt from the experience in all four nations on how best to avoid and respond to food insecurity. We are very concerned that this situation will be exacerbated as the economic impacts of the pandemic continue to unfold. We are aware that a combination of ending furlough and a potential second wave of coronavirus may conspire to make the level and severity of food insecurity significantly higher. Therefore, the Government urgently needs a sustainable plan to mitigate the possible growth of food insecurity through a combination of financial and food supply strategies. Following the publication of the National Food Strategy, we recommend that the Government consults on whether a “Right to Food” should be given a legislative footing to ensure the Government has a reference point for action to tackle and measure food insecurity, with the flexibility to meet that commitment using different measures. Following the publication of the National Food Strategy, we recommend that the Government consults on whether a COVID-19 and food supply 49 “Right to Food” should be given a legislative footing to ensure the Government has a reference point for action to tackle and measure food insecurity, with the flexibility to meet that commitment using different measures. This should happen as a matter of great urgency, in anticipation of increasing challenges to the food security of the nation post-COVID-19.
Paragraph Reference:
72
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Conclusion and Recommendation 13: One of the key questions for our inquiry was what the COVID-19 pandemic had shown about our food system, not just in terms of food supply, but also demand. There are clearly millions of people whose ability to afford sufficient, nutritious food has been severely disrupted or worsened. Lessons must be learnt from the experience in all four nations on how best to avoid and respond to food insecurity. We are very concerned that this situation will be exacerbated as the economic impacts of the pandemic are felt more keenly. It is therefore essential that the Government undertakes a thorough review of food insecurity in the UK to inform future policies and identify how best to avoid it. This must involve the four nations and include the causes of food insecurity, not just the consequences. (Paragraph 62) We agree that COVID-19 has shone a light on the challenge of food insecurity and has underlined the importance of a collaborative approach. That is why the Government has taken, and continues to take, significant action to support those on low incomes. As noted in our response to recommendation 8, we have provided £16 million in funding to help get food to charities that are feeding vulnerable people affected by COVID-19. We have also strengthened the welfare safety net for those affected by COVID-19 and will provide over £6.5bn of additional support until the end of the year. These measures include increasing Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit by up to £1,040 for this financial year, benefiting over 4 million of the most vulnerable households, and increasing Local Housing Allowance rates, putting an average of £600 into people’s pockets this year [1 million households will benefit]. Total welfare spending in 2019/20 was over £227bn, including over £103bn on working age welfare benefits for those that need them. Defra and the Department for Work and Pensions will continue to work closely to address the underlying causes of food insecurity. Defra officials have worked, and will continue to work, closely with officials in the other nations, to learn from the response to COVID-19 and to inform future policy.