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1141407
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-23more like thismore than 2019-07-23
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Food Supply more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the legal responsibility of local authorities to provide food in a time of crisis extends to (a) children, (b) people on a low income, (c) elderly people, (d) disabled people and (e) housebound people. more like this
tabling member constituency Brighton, Pavilion more like this
tabling member printed
Caroline Lucas more like this
uin 281010 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-06more like thismore than 2019-09-06
answer text <p>Food is a critical national infrastructure sector and Defra has lead Government department oversight of responsibility for food supply in England. The policy is devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the constitutional settlement.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is not responsible for the supply of food and drink to the population in an emergency, and the expertise, capability and levers to plan for and respond to food supply disruption lie within the industry. However, we have well established relationships with the food and drink sectors, and we work collaboratively with the food industry and across Government to support coherent and robust industry contingency planning and response in the event of an incident situation. The food industry is experienced in dealing with scenarios that can affect food supply.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities do not have a general duty to provide food but have duties to provide food to particular groups in particular circumstances, including schools and care settings. Public sector food provision for specific sectors is led by the relevant Government departments. Defra works with lead Departments (including DfE, DHSC and MoJ) to support their contingency planning for food supply to public services. Defra’s role involves providing advice and support to these departments who in turn work with their public services to ensure that supply is resilient.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to a strong safety net for those who need it, which is why this Government continues to spend over £90 billion a year on welfare benefits.</p>
answering member constituency Richmond Park more like this
answering member printed Zac Goldsmith more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-06T14:02:23.33Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-06T14:02:23.33Z
answering member
4062
label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park more like this
tabling member
3930
label Biography information for Caroline Lucas more like this