The SNP has come under fire from Scottish Labour for allegedly breaking an election promise, as the number of Scots worried about food poverty has almost doubled since 2017. According to the latest Scottish Health Survey from 2023, one in seven Scots – equivalent to 14 per cent – expressed concerns about not having enough food. This figure had nearly doubled from 2017, where only 8 per cent were troubled by food scarcity.
In addition, the survey revealed that more than one in 10 Scots, around 11 per cent, reported eating less in 2023, which had almost doubled from 6 per cent in the previous two years. Furthermore, more than one in 20 Scots, about 6 per cent, stated that they had run out of food in 2023, which had doubled from 3 per cent in 2017.
Scottish Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has introduced a Members Bill aiming to establish a legal right to food in Scots law and create a statutory body to uphold this right. Despite the SNP’s manifesto pledge in 2021 to introduce a legal right to food, they have not backed Grant’s bill. The SNP initially argued that their Human Rights Bill would address the right to food, but this bill has been postponed.
Grant criticized the SNP for failing to keep its promise and called the situation a “national scandal.” She vowed to continue efforts to combat food poverty and make the right to food a reality. On the other hand, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville reiterated the Scottish Government’s commitment to introducing a Human Rights Bill that would include provisions for the right to food.
Despite the SNP’s assurance of incorporating the right to food into Scots law, concerns persist over food insecurity driven by inadequate household income. The Scottish Government has urged the UK Government to implement an Essentials Guarantee to ensure people can meet their basic needs and potentially lift 140,000 people in Scotland out of poverty.
To tackle the rising issue of food poverty in Scotland, it is essential for governmental bodies to work collaboratively and swiftly to address the root causes of this crisis and provide sustainable solutions to support vulnerable populations.