Right to food campaign

Conference notes that the UK is experiencing a crisis of food poverty born out of the political choices and systemic failings created over the past four decades, which have now reached a tipping point for so many in our communities. This is a scandal in one of the richest nations in the world and highlights the inequality of the UK in 2022.

The ‘Right to Food’ campaign led by Ian Byrne MP and ‘Fans Supporting Foodbanks’ aims to make access to food a legal right for all, to have ‘Right to Food’ enshrined into legislation in Parliament and to end the scandal of hunger and foodbanks once and for all.

Conference notes the use of food banks was increasing before the pandemic and has risen dramatically during the pandemic. It is likely that the situation will get worse.

The Trussell Trust Foodbank data collected between April and September 2021 shows that the need for emergency food remains well above pre-pandemic levels. The number of food parcels for children has increased at double the rate for adults, compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Conference believes that enshrining a ‘Right to Food’ into law would confirm Government obligations on food poverty and introduce avenues to hold Government bodies accountable for violations.

Conference instructs the Executive Council to;

• join and support the ‘Right to Food’ campaign, which aims to put the human ‘Right to Food’ for all onto a legislative footing in Parliament
• add the Fire Brigades Union as a signatory to the ‘Right to Food’ Campaign Pledge
• actively support Ian Byrne MP and ‘Fans Supporting Foodbanks’ in this campaign across the UK.