Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Statutory Right to Food

Thursday 19 March 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ian Byrne thanked the Minister for a positive meeting regarding the Right to Food UK Commission, which will publish its legislative road map next week after gathering evidence from Aberdare and Cardiff.
  • The Secretary of State committed to meeting Ian Byrne later this year to discuss the commission's work and its final report.
  • Desmond Swayne questioned whether the Right to Food initiative could lead to demands for collective farms and asked about the potential impact on public finances.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Benefits & Welfare Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Right to Food UK Commission is gathering evidence from experts and communities affected by food poverty. The commission aims to address the issue of hunger in the UK.

Question

I would like to put on the record my thanks for a positive meeting with the Minister regarding the Right to Food UK Commission, which will publish its legislative road map next week after gathering evidence from Aberdare and Cardiff. Will the Secretary of State commit to meeting me later this year upon publication to ensure that the right to food is committed to law?

Answer from Angela Eagle

I certainly welcome the opportunity to discuss my hon. Friend's work in this area. We agree on the importance of resolving the problems the commission is looking into and look forward to seeing its final report. The Government are working across Departments to improve access to healthy and affordable food, introducing measures like a junk food ad ban and mandatory targets for healthier food sales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to meeting upon publication of the commission's legislative road map.

How: We Agree On The Importance But No Commitment To Meet.

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Q2 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Benefits & Welfare Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Right to Food UK Commission is gathering evidence from policy experts and those affected by food poverty. The commission aims to address the issue of hunger in communities.

Question

Next week, the Right to Food UK Commission will gather further evidence in Aberdare and Cardiff. We had a positive meeting last week with the Minister on this topic. Will the Secretary of State commit to meeting me later this year upon publication of the commission's legislative road map?

Answer from Angela Eagle

I certainly welcome the opportunity to discuss my hon. Friend's work in this area. We agree on the importance of resolving the problems that the commission is looking into and look forward to seeing its final report. The Government are working across Departments to improve access to healthy and affordable food, introducing measures such as a junk food ad ban and mandatory targets for healthier food sales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Meeting upon publication of the commission's legislative road map.

How: We Agree On Importance But No Commitment To Meet.

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Q3 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Benefits & Welfare Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The questioner raises concerns about the potential impact on public finances and governance if a statutory right to food were implemented.

Question

Is this a wind-up, Mr Speaker? They will be asking for collective farms in this socialist paradise next. Has the Minister made any assessment of the impact that a right to food would have on the public purse once our activist judges got hold of it?

Answer from Angela Eagle

I have to say that a study of history demonstrates that collectivising the food system does not usually work.

Not addressed: Financial and governance impacts of right to food.

How: Historical Critique Instead Of Assessment.

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