Call for government to tackle food inequality as lockdown eases

The Scottish Government has been pressed to tackle food inequality after a survey found a quarter of vulnerable people across the UK are struggling to access food.

The Scottish Government has been called on to tackle food inequality.

The study from consumer organisation Which? says people are at risk of going hungry because they have faced difficulty accessing basic food and essential groceries during the pandemic. The survey also found the group struggling the most to get vital groceries were “situationally vulnerable” – not at clinically increased risk from coronavirus but still requiring help accessing food because of visually impairments or learning difficulties.

With shielding measures due to end soon, the organisation has called on the UK’s four governments to extend free food parcels and other support for those who need it, to avoid millions of people being left behind if support is suddenly withdrawn.

The call was backed by Scottish Labour’s Elaine Smith who has wirtten to Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing, asking for him to support the Which? four-point plan to tackle food inequalities in Scotland.

It includes ensuring that access to food boxes and priority delivery slots continue for all clinically and situationally vulnerable people for as long as neede, giving who are "situationally vulnerable" the same access to priority delivery slots as those in the "shielded" category, setting out how government will work with councils to identify what specific ongoing support is needed, and the holding of a Ministerial summit involving local government, retailers and third sector organisations to develop a longer-term plan for supporting clinically and situationally vulnerable consumers.

Smith, who has lodged a Bill at the Scottish Parliament that seeks to enshrine the human right to food into Scots law. said: “As lockdown measures are gradually eased, some support available to vulnerable people will also be removed.

“With food provision still not adequately meeting the needs of so many who need it most, it is vital that the Scottish Government commit to addressing the concerns raised by this survey and ensure that no clinically or situationally vulnerable person in Scotland is left without adequate food provision.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “We recognise that the impacts of coronavirus have meant that many individuals, including those at increased risk of severe illness, face increased food insecurity.

“To support individuals to access the food and other essentials they need we established a national helpline and have provided £15 million of funding for local authorities to extend support for those at risk until the end of September. This is in addition to the £30 million allocated in April and £12.6 million allocated to extend Free School Meal provision over the summer holidays.

“We have committed to continue to provide funded grocery packages for those who need them until the end of July, in line with shielding advice, and have awarded around £4.6 million to support third sector activity on food, including up to £2.1 million for FareShare.”

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