Young people's experiences of food insecurity

That this House notes recent research carried out by Centrepoint into food insecurity experienced by young people; further notes with deep concern the findings which show that over a fifth of young people say they have missed work or education due to lack of food; highlights with alarm that nearly half of the general youth population in the UK say they have gone to bed hungry in the last 12 months; recognises that under-25s receive a lower benefit rate which makes it difficult to meet essential living and housing costs, particularly for young people without family support; further recognises that this policy makes it difficult for young people to move on from homelessness and puts them at risk of harm, exploitation and abuse; and supports Centrepoint’s recommendation that young people living independently without family support, including care leavers, should be able to claim the adult rate of the Universal Credit standard allowance to help them meet essential costs and avoid homelessness for good.