Food
Insecurity
(Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
(SNP)
I rise to present a petition on behalf of the constituents of
Linlithgow and East Falkirk, relating to food insecurity. At this
time of a cost of living crisis, it is shocking that one in four
households in the UK with children have experienced food
insecurity, with 28% of young mums skipping meals—a figure that
rises to 37% for those on universal credit.
With your indulgence, Mr Deputy Speaker, I say to those
petitioners affected by the issue and other aspects of the cost
of living crisis that I am hosting a cost of living drop-in event
on Friday at the Reconnect Regal theatre and I encourage them to
come along.
The petition states:
“The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge
the Government to review the rate of Universal Credit to ensure
it covers the essentials and that no parent or child goes hungry,
and also that the Government introduces measures to stop oil and
gas companies profiting at record levels whilst families are
unable to afford necessities.
And the petitioners remain, etc.”
Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of
residents of the constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk,
Declares that in a time of crisis in the cost of living, one in
four UK households with children have experienced food
insecurity, affecting an estimated four million children; further
that in their struggle to feed their children, 28% of young mums
are skipping meals each day, with this figure increasing to 37%
among young mums on Universal Credit; and notes that while the
spiralling cost of energy is affecting he cost of food
production, storage and transport and families find themselves
choosing between heating and eating, oil and gas companies post
record profits, paying out billions to shareholders and
continuing to be aided by UK Government subsidies and tax
reliefs.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge
the Government to review the rate of Universal Credit to ensure
it covers the essentials and that no parent or child goes hungry,
and also that the Government introduces measures to stop oil and
gas companies profiting at record levels whilst families are
unable to afford necessities.
And the petitioners remain etc.]
