“In one of the richest countries in the world, millions of people are forced to rely on foodbanks. This is a scandal that too many politicians seem to accept as the “new normal”.”
By Sarah Woolley, BFAWU General Secretary and Vice-Chair, Right to Food UK Commission
In one of the richest countries in the world, millions of people are forced to rely on foodbanks. This is a scandal that too many politicians seem to accept as the “new normal”.
Latest Trussell Trust data suggests around 30% of foodbank users live in households where someone is in regular work. The Right to Food UK Commission, which BFAWU is proud to support, has heard similar evidence across the country. Young nurses queuing for emergency food after a shift, and trade unions establishing foodbanks for low-paid civil servants, cleaners and security workers, demonstrate the scale of in-work poverty.
Hunger is a trade union issue. Decades of attacks on collective bargaining, restrictive trade union laws and the growth of insecure work have weakened workers’ bargaining power and driven down living standards.
At BFAWU, we know that even those producing the food we all rely on can struggle to feed themselves and their families. In 2021, 7.5% of our members reported using a foodbank. Our most recent survey saw this rise to 20%.
Foodbank use is only part of the picture. Many people avoid seeking help because of stigma, instead skipping meals or cutting back on food to make ends meet.
Through our community conversations, the Commission has heard evidence of households whose incomes simply cannot cover basic essentials. One woman summed it up: “the rent eats first”. After housing costs, energy bills and other essentials, there is simply not enough left for food.
Piecemeal action to tackle the cost of living is welcome, but we need systemic change to guarantee everyone access to sufficient, affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food. It should not depend on the goodwill of whichever government is in power.
That is why we believe the Right to Food should be enshrined in law, with constitutional protection. This should include ensuring work pays, guaranteeing a minimum income sufficient to meet essential costs, universal free school meals and investment in community food initiatives.
This is the basis of the motion BFAWU is bringing to TUC Congress this year, and we hope the whole trade union movement will support it.
Some will say we cannot afford this. But inadequate diets already cost the UK economy an estimated £268 billion every year through pressures on health and social care, welfare and lost productivity.
We cannot afford not to act.
The Right to Food UK Commission will launch its final report in Liverpool on Tuesday 29 September at 8.15pm at Love Lane Brewery. All are welcome.
- Sarah Woolley is the General Secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union (BFAWU). You can follow her on Twitter/X; and follow the BFAWU on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram.
- Sarah Woolley will be speaking alongside MPs and trade unionists at the For an Irreversible Shift in the Balance of Power and Wealth event in Brighton on 15 September. You can register for the event here.
- You can follow the Institute of Employment Rights on Facebook, Twitter/X and YouTube.If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
