Oldham MP calls for urgent action on child food insecurity
Date published: 10 February 2023
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has joined other MPs and public health leaders who have written to Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, outlining key actions to tackle child food poverty and help support a healthy population and hopefully a productive economy.
Over 30 MPs and 20 members of the House of Lords have signed the letter, which calls on the Prime Minister to support the health and development of our children by expanding access to Free School Meals, the National School Breakfast Programme, and the Healthy Start scheme.
Ms Abrahams said: “This is a start.
"Initiatives such as Free School Meals, the National School Breakfast Programme, and the Healthy Start scheme are a vital lifeline, but with too many children and families unable to access these services the Government is missing an opportunity to firmly address the reality and impacts of child food poverty, which impairs the lives and life chances of disadvantaged children and young people in Oldham and across the UK.
“Shockingly, 27% of UK children are living in poverty, and in Oldham this figure at almost 40%.
“In September of 2022, over a quarter of households with children experienced food insecurity, that represents over four million children, and the current cost-of-living crisis will increase this number.
"There were an estimated 800,000 children living in poverty who did not have access to Free School Meals - this is unacceptable.
“Childhood food insecurity contributes to increased anxiety, poor mental health, poor social and emotional development, and a reduced level of achievement in school.
“The Government must listen to the UK’s health leaders and ensure that they take immediate action to stave off a national crisis of hunger affecting millions of our children, and affecting their life chances.”
The letter is headed by the Faculty of Public Health, the Association of Directors of Public Health, the Royal Society for Public Health, and the School and Public Health Nurses Association, has also received widespread support from third-sector organisations.
The 100+ signatories of the letter make three key asks of Government to tackle this crisis and help provide children and families with the safety net they desperately need:
Expand access to Free School Meals for all children in households receiving Universal Credit, removing the £7,400 income cap.
Increase funding to the National School Breakfast Programme to expand delivery initially from 2,500 schools to 5,000, with a long-term plan to provide coverage to a higher percentage of disadvantaged pupils.
Promote access to the Healthy Start scheme, and expand access to all families with young children who receive Universal Credit.
To deliver on these asks, signatories recommend the creation of new targeted levies on unhealthy food and drink, such as an expansion of the proven and effective Sugar Drinks Industry Levy, or for government to adopt the National Food Strategy recommendation of a new salt and sugar levy.
These new levies would be paid directly by manufacturers of unhealthy food, and would bolster the health of families across the UK through reformulation leading to reduced sugar and salt intake, saving the NHS billions of pounds and supporting a healthy workforce.
Ms Abrahams believes this is a solution that would generate revenue and improve children’s diets and physical health now and into the future.
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