Martin Whitfield MSP is calling on fellow parliamentarians to support Rhoda Grant MSP’s ‘Right to Food’ bill, which would enshrine the right to food in Scots Law and help end food poverty.

The MSP has warned that food poverty in East Lothian is at unacceptable levels, but if we have the political will we can make 2021 the last year where people have to go hungry.

The Trussell Trust reported that it distributed some 84,555 food parcels to people in Scotland in the six months from April to September last year, including a shameful 29,989 distributed to children. In East Lothian during the same period some 3,494 parcels were given out to local households.

In August last year, the Food Foundation reported that 10.3 per cent of Scots were experiencing food insecurity. With the Tory cut to Universal Credit set to push families across Scotland further and further into poverty, Mr Whitfield is calling for urgent action to tackle food poverty.

Commenting, Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“There is no reason at all why anyone should be going hungry in a wealthy nation like Scotland. The evidence is clear – thousands of Scots are in food poverty and many more are being put at risk due to Tory cuts. 

“These appalling figures show how many families in East Lothian are relying on food banks to get by. We simply cannot stand back and allow this situation to continue.  

“If we have the political will we can end food poverty in Scotland by enshrining it as a human right in Scots Law. This will send a powerful message to the country that we are serious about tackling the scourge of food poverty and force us into action. 

“Let’s make this a reality, so no-one in East Lothian has to go hungry next Christmas.”