Councillors in Barking and Dagenham have raised significant concerns about the council's strategies for tackling food insecurity and the cost of living crisis, questioning the adequacy of funding for long-term solutions and the effectiveness of current support mechanisms.
During a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Moin Quadri highlighted that 20.1% of residents reported going hungry due to affordability issues. He questioned the council's budget for long-term solutions and sought clarity on plans for resident assistance once the Household Support Fund concludes in March 2027. In response, the council revealed it is developing a programme based on the Food Ladders
framework to strengthen food security. This initiative aims to position food provision as a springboard for proactive, long-term interventions, moving beyond its traditional role as an emergency response.
This co-created approach will focus on building resilience, fostering community empowerment, and unlocking opportunities for lasting impact. Furthermore, the council is collaborating with partners to establish a food distribution hub expected to supply a minimum of 10 tons of food per week to local food organisations, supporting over 7,000 residents weekly, with provision anticipated to begin by the end of May 2026.
Councillor Mukhtar Yusuf echoed these concerns, inquiring about the methodology for revising performance targets and how these changes reflect the ongoing cost of living crisis. It was stated that targets are reviewed annually with a robust mechanism and methodology for the calculations and how we set the thresholds, such as why you see the reds, ambers and greens. That's based on looking at the data and making decisions on what would cause alarm and what needs corrective action versus what we are comfortable with for now.
The report also notes that the Anti-Poverty Strategy (Foundations for Change: Tackling Poverty 2025-2026) was launched
and that the Fair Futures Board plays a key role in ensuring this funding is used strategically to fill system gaps and reduce duplication.
However, the specific methodology for revising targets to account for the cost of living crisis was not explicitly detailed.
Councillor Ingrid Robinson raised questions about communication regarding the BD Money service, following the closure of the Homes and Money Hub, and how residents are being supported to use it effectively. Leanna McPherson, Head of Programmes and Change, presented the Corporate Plan 2023-2026 Outcome Framework Performance Report, noting that the framework includes 54 outcome measures across seven priority areas. While acknowledging the concerns, she stated that specific answers to some questions would be provided in writing.
Regarding the effectiveness of money hub strategies in mitigating issues like fuel poverty, the report indicates that the Homes and Money Hub (HAM Hub) achieved £1,109,094 in income maximisation against a target of £1.1m. The council has little direct influence over fuel poverty figures because these are estimated by the Government based on assumed income criteria and average annual fuel bills.
The latest figures for 2023 show fuel poverty at 12.8%, indicating a continuation of the trend of reduction. The Cosy Homes scheme
has completed 2,000 installs of energy-saving measures in two years, and the HAM Hub assisted with income maximisation, signing up to Warm Homes Discount, and negotiating fuel debt payment plans. However, the Homes and Money Hub is now closed.
Food insecurity is a significant concern in Barking and Dagenham, with 26.4% of residents across the first two quarters of the year reporting they had not eaten for at least one whole day because they couldn't afford or access food. The most recent figure of 20.1% in the second quarter is the lowest single quarter figure since recording began, suggesting a slight easing of pressures, though still well above national figures (3.3% in June 2025). The Good Food Plan
outlines five priority areas aimed at addressing food-related challenges, including increasing collaboration with businesses, partners and the Council, improving food education and skills, promoting environmentally sustainable practices, and increasing the availability of healthy and culturally appropriate food. However, a formal definition of 'food insecurity' beyond the reported statistic is not explicitly provided.
Leanna McPherson presented the Corporate Plan 2023-2026 Outcome Framework Performance Report, which includes 54 outcome measures across seven priority areas. The report can be found in the Public reports pack Wednesday 09-Sep-2026 19.00 Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Further details on the meeting agenda can be found in the Agenda frontsheet Wednesday 09-Sep-2026 19.00 Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Minutes of Previous Meeting are also available.
