Income-Driven Food Insecurity
Food insecurity primarily driven by insufficient household income, exacerbated by global events, and complicated by a lack of an agreed definition.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
82match
#10 - First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
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 problems were inevitable. However, the system has been beset by significant problems, ultimately leading to about a third...
Matched on
terms: food, insecurity
Committee recommendation
82match
#27 - Government has not set a timetable for developing a social tariff for low-income households.
The Government has not yet set out a timetable for developing a single and comprehensive social tariff to prevent protect low-income households from bill increases, despite the widespread view that it will be necessary in the context of much higher bills. This is a necessary step that allows the regulatory system to significantly increase investment, while shielding the...
Matched on
terms: food, income
Committee recommendation
78match
#24 - First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
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 evidenced by the already-increasing demand for food banks over the past decade. The pandemic exacerbated these existing food...
Matched on
terms: food, insecurity
Committee recommendation
78match
#13 - First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
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...
Matched on
terms: food, insecurity
Committee recommendation
78match
#8 - First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Use of food banks was increasing before the pandemic and has effectively doubled during the pandemic. It is likely that the situation will get worse before it gets better. Food bank use is normally a symptom of, amongst other things, a lack of sufficient income and social support, rather than a food supply issue and we note the...
Matched on
terms: food, income
Committee recommendation
77match
#117 - Second Report - Welfare policy in Scotland
The Poverty Alliance in their written evidence to us highlighted that from their research they found that the five week wait was ‘the most negative aspect of Universal Credit for many people.’295 They argue that the policy is a major driver of poverty and destitution and has forced people into income crisis and food insecurity.296 Citizens Advice Scotland...
Matched on
terms: food, income, insecurity
Committee recommendation
69match
#28 - Mandate the Water Commission to propose a single social tariff and monitor water poverty progress.
The Independent Water Commission’s proposals should contain provisions for establishing a single social tariff, or other protections for low-income households, to protect customers from the worst impacts of anticipated bill increases. The Commission’s proposals should also establish how effectively water poverty is being tackled and whether more effective tools are needed to monitor progress. (Recommendation, Paragraph 75) 53
Matched on
terms: food, income
Committee recommendation
62match
#12 - First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
The distribution of food parcels to people who were Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) and without other means of support was a valuable way of ensuring that those people had access to basic foodstuffs. We accept that many of the complaints about the contents of parcels were likely to relate to the early food parcels made from the emergency...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
62match
#11 - First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
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 financial penalty. In addition, schools should be encouraged to continue catering directly for their pupils without being put...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
62match
#9 - First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
During the early stages of the pandemic, however, supply to food banks and food aid organisations was disrupted. At the same time, a significant amount of food is still being wasted in the supply chain. Food waste must always be reduced, but, at a time of such critical need, it is particularly abhorrent. We commend Defra for providing...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
62match
#12 - Clarify how environmental land schemes complement nature restoration and ensure food security
We welcome the consultation on a Land Use Framework and look forward to its publication. We recommend that in the Framework Ministers clarify how environmental land management schemes and other nature funding for farmers ought to complement wider nature restoration efforts and funding for nature restoration projects. We expect the Government to set out, by means of the...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
62match
#11 - Land use framework implementation requires scrutiny for food security alongside nature recovery
The Government’s projections for changes in land use in England by 2050, contained in its current consultation on a Land Use Framework, indicate a potentially substantial increase in the land area allocated to nature recovery, either alongside or instead of agricultural production. 56 Implementation of any land use framework, and the policy instruments put in place to support...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
62match
#23 - Declining trends in Welsh farming threaten UK food security and require urgent focus
The UK’s food security is dependent upon sustainable domestic production, and by that measure the trends in Wales should be cause for concern. The number of people employed in the industry in Wales has declined, trade with key European markets has declined and livestock numbers in Wales have declined. We are concerned that a continuation of these trends...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
57match
#19 - Domestic energy debt has significantly increased, becoming the fastest growing type of consumer debt
Alongside a rise in energy prices, Ofgem statistics from June 2024 show the total owed by domestic consumers for both electricity and gas was over £3.7 billion compared with £1.8 billion at the end of 2021.51 A report by Clear Consultancy Services suggested that millions of people are living in cold conditions and cutting back on essential costs...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
57match
#8 - Critical need exists for targeted bill support and social tariff for vulnerable consumers.
There is a critical need to provide greater, targeted bill support for low income and vulnerable consumers throughout the year in the form of a social tariff. We are concerned by the lack of progress to date. (Conclusion, Paragraph 34)
Matched on
terms: income
Committee recommendation
53match
#29 - Fourth Report: Home Office preparedness for COVID-19 (Coronavirus): institutional accommodation
We welcome the Minister’s willingness to consider the case for reinstating the weekly allowance for individuals who have previously had this allowance withdrawn, following forced changes of accommodation during the pandemic. Individuals who were moved into hotels at the start of the lockdown will now have been there for three months and many will have experienced additional costs...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
53match
#19 - Fourth Report: Home Office preparedness for COVID-19 (Coronavirus): institutional accommodation
Urgent Government action is needed to ensure that access to primary and secondary health services is in place for all service users, and that healthy, fresh food that is appropriate to individuals’ dietary needs is available.
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
53match
#116 - Second Report - Welfare policy in Scotland
We heard evidence of how the five week wait for Universal Credit and the associated advance payment system is causing a lot of difficulty for claimants in Scotland. Chris Birt of The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said it can ‘force people into destitution’292 whilst Polly Jones of The Trussell Trust highlight that the five week wait is a ‘huge...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
53match
#99 - Second Report - Welfare policy in Scotland
Our survey on the experiences of people with social security in Scotland found that a majority (68%) felt that the money they received in support payments would not cover their bills for rent, food, internet, council tax and utilities. One respondent to the survey said that whilst on benefits “I’m struggling to eat properly, can’t afford to heat...
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
53match
#39 - Set out specific measures to address pay precarity for creative industry freelancers.
In its forthcoming industrial strategy, the Government should set out specific measures to address pay precarity among freelancers working across the creative industries, such as a guaranteed basic income or minimum hourly wage. (Recommendation, Paragraph 136)
Matched on
terms: income
PFD report
49match
Kane Sparham-Price
Pay-day lenders cleared the deceased's bank account, leaving him destitute with no funds, highlighting a need for a statutory minimum amount to be left in accounts to prevent such situations.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
49match
Nathaniel Phillips
Brittle asthma, a life-threatening condition, is not covered by medical exemption certificates, causing patients to miss medication due to cost and preventing GPs from escalating care.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
49match
Bernadette Faulkner
The electricity meter's excessive height and placement behind an inwardly opening door created a significant safety risk for access, compounded by the lack of industry standards for meter accessibility.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
49match
#15 - Energy support schemes partially mitigated, but did not prevent, overall increase in fuel poverty.
The Department reported that from mid–2022 to mid–2023, the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) and Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) prevented around 289,000 households in England from going into fuel poverty.39 However, this was not enough to offset the wider impact of soaring energy prices, which still pushed an estimated 238,000 more households into fuel poverty overall.40
Matched on
classifier match
IMB recommendation
48match
Wealstun (2021)
To consider increasing the daily food allowance, as £2.02 is an extremely small amount to feed adult men and provide the nutrition they require (para 5.1.11 refers).
Matched on
terms: food
IMB recommendation
48match
Altcourse (2023)
The Board continues to hold the view, based on their observations and frequent discussions with prisoners and officers, that the current daily allowance for prisoners’ food is inadequate, particularly in the current economic climate. Are there any plans to review and revise the budget?
Matched on
terms: food
IMB recommendation
48match
Altcourse (2025)
The Board continues to hold the view, based on our observations and frequent discussions with prisoners, staff and User Voice, that the daily allowance for prisoners’ food (which Sodexo follows) is inadequate, particularly in this economic climate. How and when does the Prison Service plan to review and increase the food budget ?
Matched on
terms: food
IMB annual report
48match
Altcourse (2022)
HMP Altcourse remains a generally safe and humane prison, showing a reduction in self-harm and violence, and improved healthcare facilities. However, significant concerns persist regarding the containment of severely mentally unwell prisoners in unsuitable conditions and chronic staffing shortages impacting various services. The Board also highlights issues with the national food budget and a lack of external support...
Matched on
terms: food
IMB recommendation
48match
Altcourse (2022)
The Board is of the opinion that the national budget allowance for prisoners’ daily food is insufficient, particularly in the context of the current economic climate.
Matched on
terms: food
PFD report
45match
Naseeb Chuhan
Payday loan companies contributed to the deceased's dependency by encouraging loans despite awareness, and their financial checks were inadequate.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Maya Zab
The report notes an increased incidence of severe nutritional anaemia in children in the Yorkshire & Humber region in 2020, potentially linked to factors arising indirectly from the pandemic such as reduced consultations, limited social contact, and widening socio-economic inequalities.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Jane Bennett
Mould in council-owned properties, including the deceased's, poses a risk to tenant health, requiring urgent inspection and action to minimize exposure.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Lee McHale
The 'bedroom tax' caused significant housing benefit shortfalls, leading to rent arrears and fear of eviction for a former foster parent, contributing to their fatal overdose.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#11 - Social security reforms risk increasing child poverty; delayed strategy hinders scrutiny.
We are deeply concerned about the Government’s planned reforms to social security set out in the Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, which are set to drive up child poverty and will further increase pressure on the care system. We are also concerned that delaying the publication of the Child Poverty...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#13 - Energy networks accrued £4bn windfall profits while consumers face severe energy debt crisis.
While millions of consumers struggle with energy debt and the fallout of the recent energy price crisis, there is no shortage of money in the wider energy system. It is completely inexcusable that while households are forced to ration energy and choose between heating and eating, energy networks have enjoyed windfall profits of around £4bn through financial outperformance...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#3 - Millions in fuel poverty or with disabilities remain ineligible for Warm Home Discount scheme.
The Warm Home Discount is a crucial mechanism to tackle fuel poverty and we welcome the Government’s plans to broaden eligibility for the scheme for winter 2025–26. However, it is deeply troubling that millions of households in fuel poverty and many living with disabilities or long-term health conditions are still not eligible for support. This represents a major...
Matched on
classifier match
IMB recommendation
44match
Norwich (2021)
The daily budget for food of £2.02 has not been increased since 2014. Will HMPPs give an indication of when this might be reviewed?
Matched on
terms: food
IMB recommendation
44match
Elmley (2021)
The budget for food needs an overhaul. The budget of £2.14 per man per day is inadequate (see section 5.1 paragraph 3).
Matched on
terms: food
IMB recommendation
44match
Woodhill (2022)
To review the funding provided to prisons for food in the light of the current rise in the cost of living.
Matched on
terms: food
IMB recommendation
44match
Stocken (2023)
With the rise in the cost of living, particularly food, the food allowance allocated to feed each prisoner needs to be increased.
Matched on
terms: food
IMB recommendation
44match
North West and Midlands STHF (2025)
Hot food is not available for those detained at East Midlands Airport (see section 5). The Board would recommend that this decision is reconsidered.
Matched on
terms: food
IMB recommendation
43match
Lewes (2023)
The Board is concerned that, in the light of the cost of living crisis, the prisoner food budget will very soon be insufficient. When will the prison service be reviewing this?
Matched on
terms: food
Committee recommendation
41match
#30 - Fourth Report: Home Office preparedness for COVID-19 (Coronavirus): institutional accommodation
The subsistence allowance should be provided to any individual whose entitlement to section 95 support has been accepted from the time that entitlement is determined, whether or not they are then immediately able to move into dispersal accommodation. This allowance should be provided via the cashless ASPEN card system. We believe that there is no legal barrier to...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#17 - Fourth Report: Home Office preparedness for COVID-19 (Coronavirus): institutional accommodation
While asylum support payments were provisionally increased in June 2020 from £37.75 to £39.60 per week, people with ongoing asylum claims may still struggle to meet their essential needs on this weekly amount, particularly during the pandemic. It is imperative that all asylum seekers have access to essential support services and Covid-19 information through television, phones and the...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#10 - Eighth Report: Economic impact of coronavirus: the challenges of recovery
The Government has raised Universal Credit and made it easier to access. However these changes are time-limited for a year. The Government should consider extending the measures increasing the generosity and accessibility of Universal Credit put in place in March 2020. The Government should also conduct a study to examine the adequacy of and eligibility for sick pay,...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#25 - Claimants received £4.2 billion less in benefits due to official error and unfulfilled eligibility.
DWP estimates that claimants received 1.6% (£4.2 billion) less than they were eligible for in 2023–24, up from 1.5% (£3.5 billion) in 2022–23. These underpayments comprised £1.1 billion in official error and £3.1 billion in unfulfilled eligibility.49 Official error is where a benefit is paid incorrectly due to action, delay or a mistaken assessment by DWP, a local...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#10 - DWP's declining timeliness in processing new benefit claims increases financial hardship
A failure to process claims and pay benefits in a timely way can mean claimants wait longer for money they are entitled to, increasing the risk of financial hardship and making it more difficult for them to manage their finances effectively.18 Overall, DWP processed 72% of new claims on time in 2023–24, down from 77% in 2019–20.19
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#23 - Set out plans to build claimant trust and simplify reporting changes of circumstances.
These underpayments leave the claimants affected with less money than they should have, making their finances more precarious than they should be. Underpayment rates are highest for disability benefits, such as PIP and Disability Living Allowance, where the most common reason for underpayments is customers failing to inform DWP that their condition has worsened or their needs have...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#5 - Over £4 billion in benefit underpayments in 2023-24 increases financial hardship risks.
Benefit claimants received over £4 billion less than they were entitled to in 2023–24, increasing the risk of financial hardship for the people losing out. DWP estimates that claimants received 1.6% (£4.2 billion) less than they were eligible for in 2023–24, up from 1.5% (£3.5 billion) in 2022–
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#9 - Introduce auto-enrolment for all eligible children in free school meals without delay.
We consider that the arguments for auto-enrolment in free school meals for those children currently eligible are conclusive. In the interests of alleviating hunger in schools and improving health and educational outcomes for the poorest children, auto-enrolment must be brought in without delay. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35) 27
Matched on
classifier match