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Food Supply: Covid-19
05 November 2020
Lead MP
Neil Parish
Tiverton and Honiton
Con
Responding Minister
Victoria Prentis
Tags
EducationEconomyTaxationEmploymentBusiness & TradeAgriculture & Rural AffairsLocal Government
Word Count: 11663
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Neil Parish raised concerns about food supply: covid-19 in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks the Minister to extend funding for FareShare over the next two years, assess online delivery slots for vulnerable people, provide food parcels for those shielding during lockdowns, evaluate support for local authorities in distributing food, and consider proposals from Henry Dimbleby's national food strategy report.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The report addresses several issues related to food supply during the pandemic, including panic buying, food insecurity, redistribution of surplus food, support for vulnerable individuals, challenges faced by those with disabilities, free school meals, and the impact on hospitality businesses. It highlights the need for better coordination between government departments and suggests a right to food legislation.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Discussed the impact of the pandemic on food supply and highlighted concerns about food poverty, insecurity, and the effectiveness of government schemes such as the national free school meals voucher scheme. Mentioned the need for an emergency coronavirus food plan and called for improvements in communication and coordination between departments to prevent future crises. Clarified that he was referring to his hon. Friend the Member for South Shields earlier, and noted local authorities would need funding soon if they are to help in the situation.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Mr Byrne discussed the Government's response to food insecurity during the pandemic, focusing on local authority emergency assistance grants, free school meals vouchers, and food parcels for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable. He highlighted concerns over the Trussell Trust's prediction of 670,000 additional people becoming destitute this winter, a 61% increase in need compared to last winter, equating to an extra 300,000 emergency food parcels. Praised the collaboration between industry and trade unions during the pandemic, highlighting their expertise and role as heroes, suggesting that this relationship should be maintained post-pandemic.
Government Response
Victoria Prentis
Government Response
It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms McVey. I thank all those who have worked hard to keep the nation fed throughout this difficult year and acknowledge the work done by the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish) and his Committee on their report. The national shielding service system was activated on Monday, allowing clinically extremely vulnerable individuals to register their need for support with a maximum of seven days until delivery slots are available. Good supply exists commercially, and online delivery slots are currently available. The Chancellor's coronavirus job retention scheme has been announced but not detailed in this debate due to the focus on the extensive report recommendations.
The Government welcomes recommendations 1-3 and confirms daily contact with retailers and preparations for a no-deal scenario, though acknowledging there will be challenges. Evidence shows messaging highlighting food supply resilience works best from supermarkets and the retail supply chain. Regarding recommendation 4, exclusion orders are used only in exceptional circumstances, but consideration is being given to reintroducing specific relaxations based on evidence.
Recommendations 5-6 focus on click-and-collect services and increased online deliveries, which have seen significant growth during the pandemic. Local efforts such as Co-op's work for elderly customers demonstrate community support. Drivers' hours were temporarily relaxed and the 5p carrier bag charge was waived to reduce contact between drivers and customers.
Recommendations 7-11 address food security for vulnerable groups, with a taskforce targeting specific needs including direct access to delivery slots by local authorities and charities like Age UK and Scope. The report highlights economic access issues growing due to the pandemic. £9 billion extra welfare measures have been introduced this financial year, benefiting 16 million households.
Recommendations 8-12 detail food poverty support, noting that half of those in need do not have children. Specific funding was allocated to food charities like FareShare and WRAP for surplus food redistribution. Food boxes were provided during the initial lockdown but are not planned again due to current systems in place.
Recommendation 15 involves cross-Government taskforce work, with ongoing consideration of its value. On recommendation 16, the Government stood up stakeholder forums to facilitate collaboration and introduced financial support measures for struggling sectors like dairy and fish. Key workers have been recognised during the pandemic as food heroes.
Recommendations 19-20 highlight concerns about processing plants and outbreaks linked to working conditions and living situations; the Government is collaborating closely with relevant agencies to address these issues. Recommendation 25 notes ongoing engagement with industry to plan for the end of the transition period, improving knowledge of supply chains and adapting as necessary.
The Minister expresses pride in the work done to manage food supplies during the pandemic and welcomes further collaboration on this important topic.
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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.