This meeting took place on 15 March 2016. Read the transcript here.
Age UK has found that almost a million older people had less to spend on food in the last two years.[2]
Yet only 13 London boroughs provide a meals on wheels service for older people[3], with some local authorities arguing that the service is no longer cost-effective.[4]
The number of people aged 85 and over is expected to more than double and reach 3.6 million by mid-2039[5]. As a consequence, the task of preventing food poverty and malnutrition in older people is likely to become more challenging.
Following up its previous work on food poverty, the London Assembly Economy Committee will tomorrow discuss food poverty and malnutrition in older people. Hertfordshire Living Service will explain how it delivers an innovative meal service for older people, along with wider independent living support.
What could a new Mayor do to reduce the number of older people who can’t afford to eat in London?
The following guests will be questioned:
- Kathleen Egan, Programmes Manager, Age UK, London
- Rosie Boycott, Chair, London Food Board
- Sarah Wren, Chief Executive, Hertfordshire Independent Living Service
- Hannah Laurison, Sustainable Food Cities Network Coordinator, Sustain
- Vivien Rose, Service Manager – Day Opportunities & Community Meals, LB of Redbridge
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 15 March from 10:00am in Committee Room 4 at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1). Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.
Notes to editors
- Full agenda papers.
- Age UK, ‘Almost a million older people cutting back on food’.
- Meals on wheels services provide healthy meals for vulnerable and isolated older people at risk of malnutrition.
- Sustain, ‘Beyond the foodbank: London food poverty profile 2015’.
- ONS, population projections, 2015.
- Fiona Twycross AM, Chair of the Economy Committee is available for interview. See contact details below.
- London Assembly Economy Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.