University of Westminster partners with Ian Byrne MP to launch Right to Food UK Commission in Parliament

The Right to Food UK Commission was officially launched in Parliament on 17 November, following its announcement at the Right to Food UK Conference held at the University of Westminster in September. The Commission will bring together academics, activists, trade unionists and campaigners to develop a roadmap for the Government to tackle hunger and malnutrition in the UK.  

The launch event was opened by Commission Chair Professor Barrie Margetts alongside Vice-Chair and Right to Food Parliamentary Lead Ian Byrne MP, who highlighted the Commission’s aims and the urgency of their demands. This was followed by a range of powerful speeches on the need for Right to Food legislation and commitment to the Commission, including from Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell MP, Ian Lavery MP and Richard Burgon MP.  

Group photo of commissioners on the Right to Food Commission

The Commission will run six evidence sessions across the UK to shine a light on food insecurity and its impact on public health, especially for children and families. These sessions will hear evidence from experts and those with lived experience of food poverty to examine causes, effects and solutions to the issues raised.  

Sessions will begin in Liverpool in January 2026 and extend to Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow before ending in London in May. Each session will be preceded by a citizens’ assembly aimed at gathering perspectives from grassroots communities and those most affected by the issues at hand.  

Findings will then be compiled into a final report before the 2026 party conference season, providing evidence-backed recommendations for legislative and policy interventions to end hunger in the UK by 2035.  

Dr Regina Murphy Keith and Dr Sharon Noonan-Gunning

Westminster academics and course leaders of the Global Public Health and Nutrition (GPHN) MSc programme Dr Regina Murphy Keith and Dr Sharon Noonan-Gunning will serve as Commissioners. The University’s GPHN course has worked closely with the campaign, including embarking on a five-city trek to support the Right to Food across the UK, hosting the World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2024 and creating a student-produced documentary film about the fight against food insecurity.  

Student and colleague involvement in the Right to Food UK campaign reflects the University’s Being Westminster strategic priorities of wellbeing, inclusion and sustainable development. The work of the GPHN community in particular supports Westminster’s research and knowledge exchange objective to find solutions that make a difference to the world.  

Commission Vice-Chair and Parliamentary Lead for the Right to Food Campaign Ian Byrne MP said: “I’m truly sorry we have had to launch the Right to Food UK Commission in Parliament and to push for essential Right to Food legislation. But, tragically, too many people in this country are going hungry and living in food insecure households and we need urgent action to end this situation. Our intention is that all evidence gathered by the Commission will strengthen our case for the need to end food insecurity and help provide a roadmap for the Right to Food to be legislated in the immediate future.”

About the commission Dr Noonan-Gunning said: “The Right to Food UK Commission is a genuine opportunity to move beyond promises to action. I am delighted to be serving on it and to help drive forward a roadmap for the Right To Food legislation we know is urgently required.”

Dr Murphy Keith added: "It is an honour to serve on the Right to Food Commission and contribute towards establishing a legal right to food in the UK. Gathering evidence from across the country will ensure that the diverse lived experiences of individuals inform the legislation arising from our work."

The Right to Food Conference and Commission contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2: Zero Hunger, 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.  

Find out more about studying Nutrition and Public Health at the University of Westminster.