North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has expressed concern at new report findings showing that tens of thousands of vulnerable people in Wales are still struggling to get food and essential supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The research by consumer champion Which? found that in the UK two in five (40%) situationally vulnerable people - those not at clinically increased risk from coronavirus but still requiring help accessing food because they are visually impaired or have learning difficulties - reported having difficulties getting essentials in the week prior to being surveyed.
However, across the home nations, Which? found an alarmingly mixed picture.
In Wales and Scotland, this number rose to nearly half (47% and 46% respectively), compared to almost two in five (38%) in Northern Ireland and more than a quarter (27%) in England.
Commenting on the findings, Mr Isherwood, who is Shadow Communities Minister in the Welsh Parliament said:
“I was particularly concerned to hear that the situation is predominantly bad amongst those Welsh consumers who are defined as “situationally vulnerable"; and to have been told by Which? that ‘they are not given any support by the Welsh Government or retailers, but find it practically difficult to do shopping, for example because they are registered blind, are unable to physically queue for long periods or have caring responsibilities’.
“Working with the disability sector and sight loss charities I have been raising these issues with the Welsh Government directly and indirectly for weeks, and did so again today when I Chaired a meeting of the Welsh Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Disability.”
Sue Davies, Head of Consumer Protection and Food Policy at Which?, said:
“It is a real concern that months into lockdown, the current system of food provision is still not working for so many of those who need it the most. Some people could now be looking at a cliff edge where shielding restrictions are lifted and they are left to fend for themselves, cut off from outside help in getting essential groceries.
“Which? is now calling for the UK’s four Governments to work with the food industry, local authorities and charities to ensure a longer-term plan for supporting all of those who are at risk and need support is in place by the end of July, so that no vulnerable person faces difficulties in accessing the basic food supplies they need.”