2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:40 pm on 24 May 2022.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 2:40, 24 May 2022

Could we have a statement on measures that Welsh Government Ministers will take to urge the UK Government to raise the value of Healthy Start vouchers to meet the runaway cost of inflation? The UK Government last raised the value of the Healthy Start vouchers before the cost-of-living crisis hit, and it was only after, I have to say, an incredible amount of pressure from Marcus Rashford with his campaigning, food charities and, indeed, the Co-operative Party and the co-operative movement. A statement from the Welsh Government would send a very clear message of support for raising the value of these Healthy Start vouchers, and, frankly, avoiding babies and young children going hungry.

Could we have a debate on the Welsh Government commitment to food justice and on tackling the looming food poverty issue right across Wales, as well as the wider UK? It's estimated that across the UK, the sixth richest nation on earth, as many as 8 million people could be struggling to put food on the table and 500,000 have used foodbanks over the last year alone. So, a statement could advance the case for the right to food to be recognised by Government, for food strategies to be drawn up, for the designation of food champions in local government, a food strategy at local levels and more. We face a growing storm that is ripping through our communities, so Welsh Labour in Government and the Co-operative Party need to send stronger signals that we'll be there for those who are most exposed to this storm in every possible way we can.