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Cost of Food
14 December 2022
Lead MP
Ian Byrne
Liverpool West Derby
Lab
Responding Minister
Mark Spencer
Tags
EconomyEmploymentClimateBusiness & TradeAgriculture & Rural AffairsLocal Government
Word Count: 9711
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Ian Byrne raised concerns about cost of food in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP urges the Government to legislate for the right to food and ensure systemic change so that all people have access to health, happiness, and dignity. He proposes ensuring food security when setting competition, planning, transport, local government policies, and eradicating food deserts. The Minister should be under a duty when setting the minimum wage and social security benefits to state how much has been calculated for food. Finally, he asks for universal free school meals to ensure every child in state education receives a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The rising cost of food has increased by 16.4% in the year to October, affecting one in three people in Liverpool who are now in food poverty and one in six constituents in West Derby are missing meals or going without food. Two in three constituents are cutting back on hot water, heating, or electricity. The situation is getting worse by the hour, with workers across industries taking strike action due to rising costs such as those for food. Food insecurity levels have doubled since 2022, affecting an estimated 10 million adults and 4 million children in September alone. Calorie for calorie, healthier foods are nearly three times more expensive than less healthy options, with the cost of baby formula increasing by 22%. The poorest fifth of the population would need to spend 43% of their disposable income on food to afford a healthy diet.
Noted concern over the cost of infant formula outpacing funding from the Healthy Start programme, leading to families diluting formula.
Welsh Government initiatives such as free school meals in primary schools are leading the way, despite Wales not receiving fair funding from the UK. The speaker urges the UK Government to follow suit and take similar measures.
Tomorrow, Good Food Scotland will open the Linthouse Larder. The speaker questions how the Government intends to assist organisations providing affordable food for constituents on a weekly basis.
Claudia Webbe
Lab
Leicester East
Food poverty is a political choice leading to social murder, with over 20 million people cutting back on food and essentials due to rising costs. In Leicester East, more than four in ten children live in poverty, and food bank use has soared by over 300%. On that point, Claudia Webbe requests the Minister to give way for an intervention.
Asked for specific support from the Government to help UK farmers deal with unprecedented input cost rises and supermarket price fixing behaviour.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
The MP expressed concern about the impact of rising food prices on primary producers and farmers, citing issues such as rising egg costs and the negative effects on production. He questioned the role of the Government in addressing food security and the cost of living crisis. Will the Minister tell us what interventions have been made with retailers to address rising food prices?
David Linden
SNP
Glasgow Shettleston
The price of essential foods has risen dramatically, with vegetable oil up by 65%, pasta by 60% and tea by 46%. Local charities are stepping in to feed people who cannot afford food due to Government policies such as the sanctions policy and the five-week wait for universal credit. The lack of support from the government is unsustainable. Asked how often the Minister monitors the increase in food banks.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Northern Ireland faces higher food prices due to the Northern Ireland protocol and increased haulage fees. There has been an increase in referrals to food banks, with even middle-class people struggling. NHS workers are visiting food banks themselves, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Hayes and Harlington
Mr McDonnell argued that the food crisis is exacerbated by supermarkets profiteering and global speculation on food markets. He provided examples of increasing profits among major retailers such as Tesco, Associated British Foods, and Lidl. He called for an excess profits tax to curb these practices and highlighted concerns over deregulation proposed in the Financial Services and Markets Bill.
Kate Osborne
Lab
Jarrow and Gateshead East
One in six Jarrow constituents have gone without food, with two in five cutting back on spending. Food prices increased by 16.4%, impacting charities and food banks. Reports suggest that low wages are forcing essential workers to rely on food banks.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
The MP highlighted the severe impact of food poverty on children and families, noting that people in good jobs such as nurses, teachers, and armed forces personnel are using food banks. He mentioned a campaign to buy electric blankets for £3,500 to help keep families warm at lower costs than central heating. The Minister should address child hunger, which is a pressing issue highlighted by many Members.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
A recent survey by the trade association for school caterers found that food ingredient prices for schools have increased by 20% in just two months, leading to schools having to subsidise free school meals from their own budgets or charge more from struggling families.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
Annual food inflation is at a 45-year high of 16.5%, and the UK's economic growth is set to be one of the sharpest declines in Europe, with the Bank of England reporting that Brexit added £210 per person to food prices.
Salford
Ms Long-Bailey discussed the rise of food insecurity in Salford despite the efforts of local charities. She highlighted that UK workers are earning less in real terms compared to pre-2008 levels and facing sharp increases in food and energy costs, leading many to take strike action. She supported calls for price caps on essential goods, an excess profits tax, and a national minimum wage increase.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
The MP supported the campaign for a right to food, advocating for immediate action such as price caps on essentials and taxes on supermarket profits. He proposed universal free school meals during holidays and legal duties on government bodies to provide community kitchens.
The Scottish Government has allocated £3 billion this financial year, including a significant increase in the Scottish child payment. Despite these efforts, many families are struggling due to high energy costs and rising food prices, leading to increased reliance on food banks.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
The MP stressed the importance of increasing domestic food production to address food poverty. He criticized government policies that cut farm payments and reduce agricultural land, pushing up international commodity prices for essential goods. Inquired about the impact on food prices and business profitability for farmers due to a 20% reduction in basic farm payments.
Government Response
Mark Spencer
Government Response
The Government are addressing global food price shocks by closely engaging with industry to understand potential pressures on our food supply chain. Despite the challenges, the UK's food supply chain remains resilient due to diverse sourcing and strong domestic production. The Minister acknowledges the impact of rising food prices and highlights that food price inflation is higher in the eurozone than in the UK. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is taking measures to maintain an efficient food supply chain and mitigate burdens that could drive up consumer prices. The Government are providing support to primary producers through environmental land management schemes and energy support initiatives. Retailers have been involved in roundtable discussions to address specific sector challenges like the egg market. The Government also invest £37 billion annually to help households with domestic bills, contributing to local authority efforts in supporting families struggling with cost of living.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.