On 6 December 2016 MPs debated the issue of household food insecurity measurement in the UK, referencing the work of the Food Foundation and Sustain.
It is estimated that 8.4 million people in Britain now live in households affected by food insecurity. The parliamentary debate was opened by Emma Lewell-Buck MP who also mentioned Sustain’s work on this issue in partnership with The Food Foundation, Dr. Rachel Loopstra and others.
Unfortunately the Minister re-stated the current government position that it is sufficient to monitor the percentage of household income spent on food. We believe this is not sufficient; a robust measurement of food insecurity would provide key information such as the quantity and quality of food, whether people are cutting back or going without food and experiences of anxiety relating to insufficient food access.
Sustain will continue to work in partnership with others to call on the Government to introduce a national measurement of household food insecurity.
You can read the transcript of the debate here.
Find out more about Sustain’s work on this issue here.
Published Thursday 8 December 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
