MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee are to explore access
to affordable, healthy food in the first evidence session of
their inquiry into Food and Weight Management.
More than one quarter of adults in England aged 16+ live with
obesity and more than one third are overweight, according to
latest figures available from the Health Survey for
England.
As food inflation continues to rise above levels of overall
inflation, trackers following the prices of basic food estimate
that the price of a reasonably-costed, adequately nutritious food
basket has risen 20% since April 2022. Campaigns such as the Food
Foundation estimate that the average price of more healthy foods
are over twice as expensive as less healthy food.
The Committee's inquiry will ask why existing Government policies
relating to food and diet are not succeeding in reducing the UK's
rates of obesity. MPs will hear from three panels of witnesses as
they explore first-hand experiences, the national perspective and
case studies from local authorities.
At 9.30am, Panel 1:
- Dev, Youth activist at Bite Back
- Jayda, youth activist at Bite Back
- Evette, Food Ambassador at Food Foundation
At 10am, Panel 2:
- Anna Taylor, Chief Executive, Food Foundation
- Corin Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Alexandra Ros
At 10.45am, Panel 3:
- Alice Wiseman, Vice President, Association of Directors of
Public Health [Gateshead]
- Helen Gollins, Director of Public Health (Trafford) and
Chair, Greater Manchester Public Health Network
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
