NHS National Health Inequalities Improvement Programme Debate

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Department: Department of Health and Social Care

NHS National Health Inequalities Improvement Programme

Baroness Walmsley Excerpts
Thursday 25th May 2023

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Markham Portrait Lord Markham (Con)
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First, I wish my noble friend a happy birthday. I totally support her question. The most important thing with regard to inequalities—funnily enough, this was the answer to an earlier question—is the use of free school meals. I think we can all welcome the fact that 37.5% of children now receive free school meals and therefore a nutritious start to life. Clearly, that is the best way to make sure that children, particularly those with potential inequalities, are getting a healthy start in life, as well as the under-fours clubs to make sure that they get healthy food.

Baroness Walmsley Portrait Baroness Walmsley (LD)
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My Lords, according to Henry Dimbleby, the Government’s public food procurement system is dominated by a few very large corporations, creating little incentive for innovation or improvement. Can the Minister give us an update on the trials in south-west England, in which small, local, high-quality food suppliers can get into public procurement—for example, to schools and hospitals? I understand that early evidence reports better quality and choice at no increased cost.