§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Rowntree report's proposal to support food projects as a way to tackle health and social problems; and if he will make a statement. [78130]
§ Ms JowellThis is an interesting and timely report. It is particularly relevant to the work currently being undertaken by the Social Exclusion Unit following the publication of its report "Bringing Britain together: a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal". The findings of the report funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation will also be useful in taking forward the twin aims of the Government's health strategy for England: improving health and tackling inequalities. These were set out in the green paper "Our Healthier Nation" and the white paper will be published shortly. As the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report points out, local food projects are just one way of improving access to food which may have long term health benefits in terms of enabling more people to make healthy eating choices. However, the other benefits of improving self confidence, self esteem, and self worth, which all contribute to give people and the communities they live in a sense of well being, are equally important in tackling inequalities and improving overall health.