Kerry McCarthy Labour MP for Bristol East
On Tuesday at Treasury questions, I asked the Government what it is doing to tackle child food poverty. The question was prompted by a series of shocking stories I heard about school hunger at the Children’s Future Food Inquiry’s recent hearing in Parliament. While I welcome the Minister’s assurance that the Department of Education is looking into this, it is clear to me that much more needs to be done if we are to meet the sustainable development goal of zero hunger by 2030, and I believe that – as the Department that controls the purse strings – the Treasury ought to be taking much more of an interest.
At present, it is estimated 4.1 million children are living in poverty in the UK and that 10% of British children are living in severely food insecure households. I will continue to play an active role in the inquiry going forward as it seeks to build a consensus on what needs to be done to prevent child food insecurity and to ensure no child has to go hungry.
