Food workers, prices and poverty

Early day motion 1152, tabled 10 May 2023 by Ian Mearns (Labour). Signed by 35 members.

That this House is shocked by the findings of the Foodworkers on the Breadline report published by the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union based on a recent survey of members working in food manufacturing and retail; notes that, alarmingly, four in ten respondents reported having to skip meals for financial reasons, whilst one in five report using food banks themselves; believes that it is utterly unacceptable that, at a time when food prices have hit levels not seen in the UK for decades, workers are left unable to afford the products of their own labour; calls for trade unions to be invited to participate in the forthcoming UK Food Summit; urges immediate Government action to raise pay throughout food supply chains, outlaw exploitative zero hours contracts, whilst also tackling the culture of rampant corporate profiteering, particularly by the big supermarkets; and supports the incorporation of a statutory Right to Food in UK legislation.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Independent 5, Scottish National Party 5, Plaid Cymru 3, Alba 1, DUP 1, Green 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.