Early Day Motion 2604

Food insecurity amongst workers in food processing, manufacturing and retail sectors

Tabled 12 January 2026 by Ian Byrne

That this House recognises important recent research from the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) which demonstrates the cost of living pressures facing their members working across the food sector; is alarmed that BFAWU's survey of its members shows that, despite being in work, six out of ten of food workers say that their wages are insufficient for them to meet their basic needs like food and energy, whilst nearly half say they are feeling food insecure, and three out of ten say they don't have enough food to feed them and their families; regrets that a high proportion of BFAWU members say they are eating less and choosing to eat lower quality less nutritious food with many skipping meals and relying on friends and family and/or food banks to eat; understands that of the BFAWU members surveyed nearly nine out of ten say they have reduced their heating to save money; believes that this latest BFAWU Cost of Living report must serve as a wake up call to governments, devolved administrations and councils across the UK to do more to help alleviate the cost of living pressures facing people across this country; suggests that these findings demonstrate exactly why there is a need for Right to Food legislation; and supports the UK Right to Food Commission, which will provide a roadmap for the statutory protections that so many people in this country need.

Signatories (33)

Source UK Parliament EDM data