Income-Driven Food Insecurity
Food insecurity primarily driven by insufficient household income, exacerbated by global events, and complicated by a lack of an agreed definition.
405 items
7 sources
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
98match
#18 - Second report - Food insecurity
empower the Global Alliance for Food Security to develop international solutions to regional food security challenges. That should include a) securing the provision, delivery and distribution of food assistance to countries in need in order to avert famine. Such initiatives should prioritise countries with communities classed on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification as in Phase 3 (Crisis)...
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terms: food, income, insecurity
Committee recommendation
82match
#27 - Government has not set a timetable for developing a social tariff for low-income households.
The Government has not yet set out a timetable for developing a single and comprehensive social tariff to prevent protect low-income households from bill increases, despite the widespread view that it will be necessary in the context of much higher bills. This is a necessary step that allows the regulatory system to significantly increase investment, while shielding the...
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terms: food, income
Committee recommendation
77match
#117 - Second Report - Welfare policy in Scotland
The Poverty Alliance in their written evidence to us highlighted that from their research they found that the five week wait was ‘the most negative aspect of Universal Credit for many people.’295 They argue that the policy is a major driver of poverty and destitution and has forced people into income crisis and food insecurity.296 Citizens Advice Scotland...
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terms: food, income, insecurity
Committee recommendation
73match
#3 - Seventh Report - Covid-19 and the issues of security in food supply
We know that during lockdown food insecurity is particularly likely amongst those eligible for free school meals. Therefore, in the event of another lockdown, Government should ensure that families of children who would normally receive free school meals continue to be able to feed their children.
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terms: food, insecurity
Committee recommendation
69match
#28 - Mandate the Water Commission to propose a single social tariff and monitor water poverty progress.
The Independent Water Commission’s proposals should contain provisions for establishing a single social tariff, or other protections for low-income households, to protect customers from the worst impacts of anticipated bill increases. The Commission’s proposals should also establish how effectively water poverty is being tackled and whether more effective tools are needed to monitor progress. (Recommendation, Paragraph 75) 53
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terms: food, income
Committee recommendation
62match
#12 - Clarify how environmental land schemes complement nature restoration and ensure food security
We welcome the consultation on a Land Use Framework and look forward to its publication. We recommend that in the Framework Ministers clarify how environmental land management schemes and other nature funding for farmers ought to complement wider nature restoration efforts and funding for nature restoration projects. We expect the Government to set out, by means of the...
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terms: food
Committee recommendation
62match
#11 - Land use framework implementation requires scrutiny for food security alongside nature recovery
The Government’s projections for changes in land use in England by 2050, contained in its current consultation on a Land Use Framework, indicate a potentially substantial increase in the land area allocated to nature recovery, either alongside or instead of agricultural production. 56 Implementation of any land use framework, and the policy instruments put in place to support...
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terms: food
Committee recommendation
62match
#23 - Declining trends in Welsh farming threaten UK food security and require urgent focus
The UK’s food security is dependent upon sustainable domestic production, and by that measure the trends in Wales should be cause for concern. The number of people employed in the industry in Wales has declined, trade with key European markets has declined and livestock numbers in Wales have declined. We are concerned that a continuation of these trends...
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terms: food
Committee recommendation
62match
#1 - Welsh farming remains a vital but low-income and demanding profession.
In Wales, farming is a vital profession, central to the preservation of the Welsh language and rural culture. Despite its significance, it remains a physically demanding, low-income sector, largely made up of small, family- run livestock farms with an average annual income of around £22,000. We acknowledge that remuneration is low considering the intensive, remote and year-round nature...
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terms: income
Committee recommendation
60match
#97 - Second Report - Welfare policy in Scotland
We heard evidence from various stakeholders that this amount of money was not adequate to ensure that claimants remain out of poverty and pay their essential bills. The Trussell Trust told us that ‘benefit issues and low benefit income are a reason behind four in five visits to food banks in the Trussell Trust network’.234 Polly Jones of...
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terms: food, income
Committee recommendation
60match
#17 - Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Food insecurity remains a development challenge in Pakistan. As adequate nutrition is central to maintaining progress in key areas for development such as health, education, and economic growth, failing to have a joined-up strategy towards nutrition undermines the UK Government’s work in other areas, such as in education and economic empowerment for women and girls.
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terms: food, insecurity
Committee recommendation
57match
#19 - Domestic energy debt has significantly increased, becoming the fastest growing type of consumer debt
Alongside a rise in energy prices, Ofgem statistics from June 2024 show the total owed by domestic consumers for both electricity and gas was over £3.7 billion compared with £1.8 billion at the end of 2021.51 A report by Clear Consultancy Services suggested that millions of people are living in cold conditions and cutting back on essential costs...
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terms: food
Committee recommendation
57match
#8 - Critical need exists for targeted bill support and social tariff for vulnerable consumers.
There is a critical need to provide greater, targeted bill support for low income and vulnerable consumers throughout the year in the form of a social tariff. We are concerned by the lack of progress to date. (Conclusion, Paragraph 34)
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terms: income
Committee recommendation
53match
#116 - Second Report - Welfare policy in Scotland
We heard evidence of how the five week wait for Universal Credit and the associated advance payment system is causing a lot of difficulty for claimants in Scotland. Chris Birt of The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said it can ‘force people into destitution’292 whilst Polly Jones of The Trussell Trust highlight that the five week wait is a ‘huge...
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terms: food
Committee recommendation
53match
#99 - Second Report - Welfare policy in Scotland
Our survey on the experiences of people with social security in Scotland found that a majority (68%) felt that the money they received in support payments would not cover their bills for rent, food, internet, council tax and utilities. One respondent to the survey said that whilst on benefits “I’m struggling to eat properly, can’t afford to heat...
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terms: food
Committee recommendation
53match
#39 - Set out specific measures to address pay precarity for creative industry freelancers.
In its forthcoming industrial strategy, the Government should set out specific measures to address pay precarity among freelancers working across the creative industries, such as a guaranteed basic income or minimum hourly wage. (Recommendation, Paragraph 136)
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terms: income
PFD report
49match
Kane Sparham-Price
Pay-day lenders cleared the deceased's bank account, leaving him destitute with no funds, highlighting a need for a statutory minimum amount to be left in accounts to prevent such situations.
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PFD report
49match
Nathaniel Phillips
Brittle asthma, a life-threatening condition, is not covered by medical exemption certificates, causing patients to miss medication due to cost and preventing GPs from escalating care.
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PFD report
49match
Bernadette Faulkner
The electricity meter's excessive height and placement behind an inwardly opening door created a significant safety risk for access, compounded by the lack of industry standards for meter accessibility.
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Committee recommendation
49match
#15 - Energy support schemes partially mitigated, but did not prevent, overall increase in fuel poverty.
The Department reported that from mid–2022 to mid–2023, the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) and Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) prevented around 289,000 households in England from going into fuel poverty.39 However, this was not enough to offset the wider impact of soaring energy prices, which still pushed an estimated 238,000 more households into fuel poverty overall.40
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Committee recommendation
48match
#5 - Fourth Report - The Benefits System in Wales
The UK Government must urgently review the level at which Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is set. At only £96.35 per week, it is equivalent to only 20 per cent of the average wage—compared to 100 per cent in Germany and 90 per cent in France. In the interest of public health and to ensure that nobody is forced...
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terms: food
IMB recommendation
48match
Wealstun (2021)
To consider increasing the daily food allowance, as £2.02 is an extremely small amount to feed adult men and provide the nutrition they require (para 5.1.11 refers).
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terms: food
IMB recommendation
48match
Altcourse (2023)
The Board continues to hold the view, based on their observations and frequent discussions with prisoners and officers, that the current daily allowance for prisoners’ food is inadequate, particularly in the current economic climate. Are there any plans to review and revise the budget?
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terms: food
IMB recommendation
48match
Altcourse (2025)
The Board continues to hold the view, based on our observations and frequent discussions with prisoners, staff and User Voice, that the daily allowance for prisoners’ food (which Sodexo follows) is inadequate, particularly in this economic climate. How and when does the Prison Service plan to review and increase the food budget ?
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terms: food
IMB annual report
48match
Altcourse (2022)
HMP Altcourse remains a generally safe and humane prison, showing a reduction in self-harm and violence, and improved healthcare facilities. However, significant concerns persist regarding the containment of severely mentally unwell prisoners in unsuitable conditions and chronic staffing shortages impacting various services. The Board also highlights issues with the national food budget and a lack of external support...
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terms: food
IMB recommendation
48match
Altcourse (2022)
The Board is of the opinion that the national budget allowance for prisoners’ daily food is insufficient, particularly in the context of the current economic climate.
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terms: food
PFD report
45match
Naseeb Chuhan
Payday loan companies contributed to the deceased's dependency by encouraging loans despite awareness, and their financial checks were inadequate.
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PFD report
45match
Maya Zab
The report notes an increased incidence of severe nutritional anaemia in children in the Yorkshire & Humber region in 2020, potentially linked to factors arising indirectly from the pandemic such as reduced consultations, limited social contact, and widening socio-economic inequalities.
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PFD report
45match
Jane Bennett
Mould in council-owned properties, including the deceased's, poses a risk to tenant health, requiring urgent inspection and action to minimize exposure.
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PFD report
45match
Lee McHale
The 'bedroom tax' caused significant housing benefit shortfalls, leading to rent arrears and fear of eviction for a former foster parent, contributing to their fatal overdose.
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Committee recommendation
45match
#11 - Social security reforms risk increasing child poverty; delayed strategy hinders scrutiny.
We are deeply concerned about the Government’s planned reforms to social security set out in the Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, which are set to drive up child poverty and will further increase pressure on the care system. We are also concerned that delaying the publication of the Child Poverty...
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Committee recommendation
45match
#13 - Energy networks accrued £4bn windfall profits while consumers face severe energy debt crisis.
While millions of consumers struggle with energy debt and the fallout of the recent energy price crisis, there is no shortage of money in the wider energy system. It is completely inexcusable that while households are forced to ration energy and choose between heating and eating, energy networks have enjoyed windfall profits of around £4bn through financial outperformance...
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Committee recommendation
45match
#3 - Millions in fuel poverty or with disabilities remain ineligible for Warm Home Discount scheme.
The Warm Home Discount is a crucial mechanism to tackle fuel poverty and we welcome the Government’s plans to broaden eligibility for the scheme for winter 2025–26. However, it is deeply troubling that millions of households in fuel poverty and many living with disabilities or long-term health conditions are still not eligible for support. This represents a major...
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IMB recommendation
44match
Norwich (2021)
The daily budget for food of £2.02 has not been increased since 2014. Will HMPPs give an indication of when this might be reviewed?
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terms: food
IMB recommendation
44match
Elmley (2021)
The budget for food needs an overhaul. The budget of £2.14 per man per day is inadequate (see section 5.1 paragraph 3).
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terms: food
IMB recommendation
44match
Woodhill (2022)
To review the funding provided to prisons for food in the light of the current rise in the cost of living.
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terms: food
IMB recommendation
44match
Stocken (2023)
With the rise in the cost of living, particularly food, the food allowance allocated to feed each prisoner needs to be increased.
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terms: food
IMB recommendation
44match
North West and Midlands STHF (2025)
Hot food is not available for those detained at East Midlands Airport (see section 5). The Board would recommend that this decision is reconsidered.
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terms: food
IMB recommendation
43match
Lewes (2023)
The Board is concerned that, in the light of the cost of living crisis, the prisoner food budget will very soon be insufficient. When will the prison service be reviewing this?
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terms: food
Committee recommendation
41match
#25 - Claimants received £4.2 billion less in benefits due to official error and unfulfilled eligibility.
DWP estimates that claimants received 1.6% (£4.2 billion) less than they were eligible for in 2023–24, up from 1.5% (£3.5 billion) in 2022–23. These underpayments comprised £1.1 billion in official error and £3.1 billion in unfulfilled eligibility.49 Official error is where a benefit is paid incorrectly due to action, delay or a mistaken assessment by DWP, a local...
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Committee recommendation
41match
#10 - DWP's declining timeliness in processing new benefit claims increases financial hardship
A failure to process claims and pay benefits in a timely way can mean claimants wait longer for money they are entitled to, increasing the risk of financial hardship and making it more difficult for them to manage their finances effectively.18 Overall, DWP processed 72% of new claims on time in 2023–24, down from 77% in 2019–20.19
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Committee recommendation
41match
#23 - Set out plans to build claimant trust and simplify reporting changes of circumstances.
These underpayments leave the claimants affected with less money than they should have, making their finances more precarious than they should be. Underpayment rates are highest for disability benefits, such as PIP and Disability Living Allowance, where the most common reason for underpayments is customers failing to inform DWP that their condition has worsened or their needs have...
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Committee recommendation
41match
#5 - Over £4 billion in benefit underpayments in 2023-24 increases financial hardship risks.
Benefit claimants received over £4 billion less than they were entitled to in 2023–24, increasing the risk of financial hardship for the people losing out. DWP estimates that claimants received 1.6% (£4.2 billion) less than they were eligible for in 2023–24, up from 1.5% (£3.5 billion) in 2022–
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Committee recommendation
41match
#9 - Introduce auto-enrolment for all eligible children in free school meals without delay.
We consider that the arguments for auto-enrolment in free school meals for those children currently eligible are conclusive. In the interests of alleviating hunger in schools and improving health and educational outcomes for the poorest children, auto-enrolment must be brought in without delay. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35) 27
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Committee recommendation
41match
#29 - Exorbitant building insurance costs continue to impose severe financial hardship and debt risk
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) raised concerns that insurance companies were seeking to profit from the building safety crisis. The Shared Owners Network similarly wrote that many shared owners were struggling to pay housing-related costs such as insurance. End Our Cladding Scandal (EOCS) raised exorbitant insurance as one of the many costs that risked putting residents “at risk...
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Committee recommendation
41match
#41 - Appoint a Freelancers’ Commissioner to develop framework addressing industry pay and working conditions.
We repeat our predecessor Committee’s call for the Government to appoint a Freelancers’ Commissioner, with appropriate powers and cross- departmental oversight. The Freelancers’ Commissioner should work with the film and HETV industry to develop a framework for addressing pay precarity, hours, working conditions and behaviours that is published within 12 months of their appointment. (Recommendation, Paragraph 142)
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Committee recommendation
41match
#66 - Integrate neglect reduction measures and parental support into Child Poverty Strategy with a broader approach.
The Department should ensure that measures to reduce neglect and support parents with poor mental health and drug and alcohol addictions are considered as part of its Child Poverty Strategy and recognise that poverty is not the only circumstance in which neglect takes place and take a broader approach to tackling neglect. (Recommendation, Paragraph 162)
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Committee recommendation
41match
#13 - Require Government to implement bold Child Poverty Strategy to significantly reduce children's financial hardship.
We urge the Government to be bold in its upcoming Child Poverty Strategy and take wide-ranging action to reverse this trend and significantly reduce the number of children growing up in financial hardship. (Recommendation, Paragraph 29)
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Committee recommendation
41match
#22 - Limit smart meter back-billing period to six months and publish supplier penalty data for breaches.
Ofgem should limit the back billing period to six months for customers with a smart meter. It should also publish annual data on the penalties it gives energy suppliers for breaching its back billing rules. (Recommendation, Paragraph 79)
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Committee recommendation
41match
#21 - High energy costs exacerbate severe impacts of billing issues, leading to overdue back bills.
Energy bills are generally becoming more accurate, but the high cost of energy means that when billing issues do occur, the impacts are felt far more severely. In an era of smart metering, it is unacceptable that back bills are being issued more than a year after energy was used, often in breach of Ofgem’s rules. This can...
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