Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Food Price Inflation and Food Banks

17 May 2023 · 4 other contributors · 3,533 words

Opened by Beth Winter Lab Cynon Valley

Responding minister: Mark Spencer

EconomyBenefits & WelfareEnvironment

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Beth Winter raised concerns about food price inflation and food banks in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • MP for Cynon Valley raised concerns about a record 2,800 emergency food parcels provided in her constituency last year, including over 1,000 for children.
  • The Trussell Trust reported almost 3 million emergency food parcels given out in 2022-23, a significant increase from 1.3 million in 2017-18.
  • MP highlighted rising food prices and lack of financial support as pushing people into poverty despite employment.

Key requests to Government

The MP calls for an inflation-proofing of incomes, adoption of an essentials guarantee, implementation of a windfall tax on supermarket profits, controls on food speculation, and exploration of price ceilings on essential goods. She also urges the Government to learn from international examples like France's anti-inflation measures and Switzerland's regulated food pricing.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Beth Winter Lab Cynon Valley

The MP is concerned about the increasing number of people relying on food banks due to food price inflation, with a record 2,800 emergency food parcels provided in Cynon Valley last year, including more than 1,000 for children. The Trussell Trust reported almost 3 million emergency food parcels given out in 2022-23, up from 1.3 million in 2017-18. She highlights that rising food prices and a lack of financial support are pushing people into poverty despite being employed. Additionally, the MP points to profiteering by major supermarkets and food manufacturers as exacerbating the situation.

Other contributors (4)
  • Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby

    Suggested following Wales's lead to introduce universal free school meals, advocating for a right to food law to ensure all children and adults have enforceable food rights. The MP agrees that universal free school meals should be rolled out across the UK to support children affected by the cost of living crisis. He also mentions the Welsh Government's initiative to roll out free school meals for primary school children. Asked whether trade union representatives were invited to the UK Farm to Fork summit and inquired about a windfall tax on supermarkets, referencing a survey by the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union that found four in 10 food workers are forced to skip meals.

  • Mary Foy Lab City of Durham

    Called for the government to consider price controls on essential items such as baby formula, given reports of desperate parents stealing baby formula to feed their children.

  • Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central

    Noted that prices of some basic food items are rising by 30%, highlighting the pressure facing families both on benefits and in work, with many now attending food banks despite having jobs.

  • Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife

    Asked for security and certainty about extending the seasonal agricultural workers scheme over a longer period, allowing farms to invest in equipment and train people.

Government Response

Mark Spencer

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Harris. I thank the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Beth Winter) for securing today's important debate and paying tribute to her constituency efforts. Food price inflation rose to 19.2% in March 2023 from 18.2% in February, the highest rate seen in 45 years. The Government's priority is to halve inflation this year. Yesterday, the Prime Minister hosted a UK Farm to Fork summit with industry leaders focusing on supply chain resilience and sustainability. Following the summit, a package was announced including principles to protect farmers' interests in trade deals, export funding, reducing red tape for diversification, and making it easier to build glasshouses. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury met supermarkets last week to discuss cost pressures, and the Chancellor will meet them again shortly. Significant support this year includes £3,500 per household on average through direct cash payments to vulnerable households, benefits uprating by 10%, and a state pension increase of 10%. The Government provide over £100 million in support for charities and community organisations targeting critical frontline services. More than 8 million households are eligible for means-tested benefits; some will receive additional cost-of-living payments totalling up to £900 in the '23-24 financial year. An extra £1 billion of funding is provided for a year-long extension of the household support fund from April, bringing total funding to £2.5 billion since October 2021. The national living wage was increased by 9.7% to £10.42 in April, helping over 2 million low-paid workers with an annual earnings increase of over £1,600.

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