Help the Hungry: Emma Thompson calls on government to protect children short of food

‘Put money in the pockets of families who are suffering’, actor tells government – as new figures show millions of children struggling to get enough to eat

Dame Emma Thompson has called on the government to do more to protect families, as new research suggests 2.4 million children are struggling to get enough to eat during the lockdown.

The Oscar-winning actor said families “find themselves in an impossible position” and ministers should provide more emergency funds to help those who cannot afford supplies.

The Independent’s Help The Hungry campaign is highlighting the UK’s hunger crisis and seeking to raise money for The Felix Project so the food-surplus charity can provide food for NHS staff, the poor and elderly.

A new survey by YouGov indicates as many as 350,000 people have had times when they’ve gone hungry during the lockdown because there wasn’t enough food.

The poll, commissioned by the Food Foundation, also found that two million children have been given smaller portions or less nutritious meals because parents have run out of supplies. As many as 2.4 million children have experienced some form of food insecurity during the crisis.

Dame Emma, an ambassador for the Children’s Right2Food campaign, said: “What is undeniable is that our government has yet to extend real lifelines to those who cannot afford food.

“We need emergency income support to put money in the pockets of families who are suffering, and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) must ensure child benefit payments are increased and sufficient for alleviating the hardship so many children are enduring.”

The charity is asking the DWP to scrap the five-week wait for universal credit and double child benefit by paying it fortnightly instead of monthly.

Anna Taylor, executive director of the Food Foundation, said ensuring children have enough food “should be a priority, but we’re leaving them behind in conversations about emergency support and they’re falling through the cracks as a result”.

She added: “Having enough nutritious food to eat is a basic right and without it, children’s mental and physical health suffers irreparably.”

Olivia Colman joins volunteers to deliver food packages (Lucy Young/Evening Standard)

A government spokesperson said: “We are doing whatever it takes to ensure people are supported through these unprecedented times and we remain committed to providing opportunities and tackling the root causes of poverty.

“Widespread support is available … We continue to encourage schools to work with their suppliers to arrange food parcels or collections for families eligible for free school meals. Where this is not possible, a national scheme was launched for schools to provide supermarket vouchers, which is delivering for thousands of schools.”

In April, actor Olivia Coleman backed our Help the Hungry campaign, volunteering with The Felix Project to deliver food packages to those in need.

The Independent is encouraging readers to help groups that are trying to feed the hungry across the country – find out how you can help here. Follow this link to donate to our campaign in London, in partnership with the Evening Standard.