A report published today (July 2) by consumer watchdog Which? has shone a light on the numbers of vulnerable people in Wales and their access to food during the pandemic and lockdown.
The data are from a survey conducted by Opinium between May 29 and June 17.
Findings from the report include:
- More than 40 percent of extremely clinically vulnerable consumers said they needed help accessing food and other essential groceries
- Nearly half (48 percent) of consumers said they had not, or had only occasionally, bought food and groceries online
- Some 47 percent of consumers who require support (but are not vulnerable to Coronavirus) said that had experienced difficulties in accessing food and groceries
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Rural Affairs, Andrew RT Davies AM, said:
“This alarming report shows that tens of thousands of vulnerable people in Wales have been struggling to access food and essential supplies during the pandemic and lockdown.
“The situation is particularly bad amongst those people defined as ‘situationally vulnerable’; they are not given any support by the Labour-led Welsh Government, and find it practically difficult to do shopping, for example because they are registered blind, are unable to physically queue for long periods or have caring responsibilities.
“And we are not out of the woods yet, so what will the First Minister and his Labour Party colleagues do to help them, because doing nothing is not an option.”
The report by Which? is below.