Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 263
Published 30 July 2020
Government response
COVID-19 and food supply: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report · published 10 Oct 2020
Recommendations & Conclusions
10
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 57
With the need to quickly provide children with a substitute for free school meals after...
Conclusion
With the need to quickly provide children with a substitute for free school meals after schools closed, the Department for Education (DfE) designed a national voucher system. The speed with which it was set up was commendable and some teething …
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Government Response Summary
The government response largely reiterates the committee's conclusion regarding the issues with the national free school meal voucher system, without providing the government's own assessment or actions taken in response to these criticisms.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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11
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 58
The Government should now be more flexible and recognise the importance and success of most...
Recommendation
The Government should now be more flexible and recognise the importance and success of most community-led responses to the provision of free school meal substitutes. Schools should be allowed to provide vouchers for whichever retailers serve their community best, without …
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Government Response Summary
The government response largely reiterates the committee's observations about the problems with the national free school meal voucher system, but does not directly address the recommendation for greater flexibility, allowing schools to choose retailers, or encouraging direct catering without penalty.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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13
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 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, …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of addressing food insecurity, highlighting existing welfare support and funding for charities, and committing to continued inter-departmental and inter-nation collaboration. However, the response does not address the recommendation to consult on whether a “Right to Food” should be given a legislative footing.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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24
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 116
It is clear that before the pandemic, many people were already unable to have physical...
Recommendation
It is clear that before the pandemic, many people were already unable to have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that met their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. This was …
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Government Response Summary
The government response outlines past financial support and welfare measures during the pandemic but does not address the recommendation's specific calls for a response to the National Food Strategy or setting priorities for a Minister for Food Security.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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