HL Deb 23 June 2003 vol 650 cc4-5WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What evidence they have on the state of mulnutrition among those on means-tested benefits; and whether the rate among those who have been subject to benefit sanctions is higher or lower than those on means-tested benefits as a whole. [HL3285]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)

Diet and nutritional status is assessed through a series of surveys; the National Diet and Nutrition Surveys, the Expenditure and Food Survey and the Health Survey for England. These surveys provide no direct evidence on the incidence of malnutrition in those in receipt of income-related benefits or those subject to benefit sanctions.