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Covid-19 and the crisis of food insecurity in the UK

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  • Hartwig Pautz
  • Damian Dempsey

Abstract

Over the past decade, food insecurity has been increasing across the United Kingdom. The 2020/21 Covid-19 global pandemic has further aggravated food insecurity. This article examines how Covid-19 affected food insecurity through, first, a review of existing literature on the UK and, second, through presenting research results from Scotland with a focus on four groups considered to be specifically vulnerable to food insecurity – namely people with a disability, the homeless, young carers, and (destitute) asylum seekers. The article finds that Covid-19 impacted food insecurity in three ways: (1) it led to rising need driven mainly by income reductions and income crises; (2) it created new and intensified food access challenges; and (3) it had a significant impact on the operation of food banks and their important ‘wrap-around’ services (e.g. benefits advice). The article concludes with a discussion of the role of the social sciences in understanding the food insecurity crisis during Covid-19. In summary, the article adds to the developing understanding of the consequences of Covid-19 on food insecurity, the effectiveness of policy measures and the role that social sciences can play in times of crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Hartwig Pautz & Damian Dempsey, 2022. "Covid-19 and the crisis of food insecurity in the UK," Contemporary Social Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(5), pages 434-449, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:rsocxx:v:17:y:2022:i:5:p:434-449
    DOI: 10.1080/21582041.2022.2044069
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    Cited by:

    1. Doua Ahmed & Pierina Benavente & Esperanza Diaz, 2023. "Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Costa-Font, Montserrat & Asquini, Martina, 2023. "The impact of perceived COVID-19 risks, food waste generation and food purchase control on the food security status during the pandemic," 97th Annual Conference, March 27-29, 2023, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 334511, Agricultural Economics Society - AES.

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