Commenting on the latest report from the EFRA (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Committee, Morgan Vine, Head of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said:
“We welcome the recommendation from the EFRA (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Committee for the Government to publicly ask supermarkets to accommodate the needs of Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV), older and disabled people, by reviewing their fees and charges.
“Since January, we, alongside more than 20 other charities, have been calling on the major supermarkets to lower minimum spends and suspend delivery charges for those most at risk of Coronavirus.
“People living alone have told us they don’t spend enough on food each week to reach the minimum spend limit, and for those already on lower incomes, the extra delivery charge is a real burden.
“Unfortunately, only Iceland has made any significant change to its charges, which means millions of people have been forced to continue to risk their health throughout the pandemic by going to a supermarket or to take on extra, unaffordable costs to have their food delivered.
“As we emerge from the latest, and hopefully final, lockdown, the Government has an essential role to play in ensuring people can access food in a safe and affordable way.”
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Notes to editor
For media enquiries please contact
Amy Dodge, Media and PR Manager at Independent Age on 020 7605 6508, amy.dodge@independentage.org
Out of Hours: 07545 209589
For information on previous research conducted by the charity for their supermarket campaign, see:
Research reveals financial impact of online supermarket shopping on older people | Independent Age
About Independent Age
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