Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issues of security in food supply
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 1156
Published 7 April 2021
Government response
Second Special Report: COVID-19 and the issues of security in food supply: Government Response to the Committee’s Seventh Report · published 18 Jun 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 12
We support the principle that schools and local authorities should have multiple options, such as...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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3
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 14
We know that during lockdown food insecurity is particularly likely amongst those eligible for free...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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 Scheme.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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4
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 22
Although the intention of the food parcels scheme during the first lockdown was to provide...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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5
Recommendation
Accepted
During the 2021 lockdown, the Government has relied more heavily on supermarkets to provide food...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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6
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 24
It is imperative that food retailers ensure that their stores are accessible to disabled people.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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11
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 50
We support the Chancellor’s announcement in the Budget that the hospitality sector will continue to...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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