Food poverty: Households, food banks and free school meals
This paper provides statistics on household food insecurity, food bank usage and free school meals in the UK, and tracks the impact of rising living costs.

This is a note on the progress through both Houses of Parliament of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill (the Bill). It complements Library Research Paper 14/38 prepared for the Commons Second Reading.
Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill: Progress of the Bill (405 KB , PDF)
This is a note on the progress through both Houses of Parliament of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill (the Bill). It complements Library Research Paper 14/38 prepared for the Commons Second Reading.
The Coalition Agreement included a commitment to encourage volunteering and involvement in social action. The Government intends that the Bill will help to fulfil this commitment by reassuring volunteers (and others) that the courts will consider the context of their actions in the event that they are sued for negligence or breach of statutory duty. The Bill is one of a number of initiatives being pursued by the Government to tackle the perception of a “compensation culture” which, among other things, may deter people from volunteering or getting involved in activities of benefit to the community.
The Bill was not amended in the House of Commons. Two Government amendments, one to Clause 3 and the other to Clause 4, were agreed in the House of Lords. The House of Commons is due to consider Lords amendments on 2 February 2015.
Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill: Progress of the Bill (405 KB , PDF)
This paper provides statistics on household food insecurity, food bank usage and free school meals in the UK, and tracks the impact of rising living costs.
On Wednesday 25 June 2025, there will be an Estimates Day debate on the spending of the Ministry of Justice. This debate pack contains details of the latest estimates and previous expenditure, background material, and suggestions for further reading.
The regulation of enforcement agents (bailiffs) in England and Wales is outlined in this briefing. It also considers the government’s recent proposals for reform.