Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to support community food initiatives in a) England and b) the parliamentary constituency of Romford.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund allows local authorities in England to support community food provision where this meets the Fund’s objectives. Local authorities are encouraged to work with voluntary and community sector organisations and connect food support with wider services, such as advice, benefit support and help with debt.

Local authorities determine provision according to local needs and priorities. The Department does not hold information on individual community food initiatives at constituency level.

The Government has also taken substantive action to support low-income households and tackle food insecurity, by increasing the National Living Wage and increasing the rates of Universal Credit. The Child Poverty Strategy, particularly the removal of the two-child limit and increasing access to Free School Meals, are also contributing to addressing demand for food related support.