The Food Foundation is one of 56 organisations that have endorsed the ‘alarming conclusions’ of the independent analysis of the poverty crisis commissioned by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The report titled Is Cost of Living Support Enough? was carried out by Professor Donald Hirsch, director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University. In the face of rising costs and falling incomes, families have been left behind by the Government’s existing support package.
Isabel Hughes policy engagement manager at The Food Foundation, said: "We and many other organisations and politicians from all sides have repeatedly warned of this impending crisis caused by the worst cost of living squeeze in living memory.
"There is now a very serious shortfall in support for families who are most seriously in need. Urgent action is needed. That is why we have repeatedly called for extended access to free school meals for the millions of children living in poverty who currently miss out on this vital safety net.
"Ensuring these children’s access to one nutritious hot meal a day is the quickest way to prevent an under-nutrition epidemic which will otherwise blight the education, health and future productivity prospects of a generation. We hope the incoming Government will take seriously Professor Hirch’s authoritative analysis and understand the need for immediate intervention."