Natasha’s Foundation Welcomes Sharon Hodgson as Public Health Minister
Natasha’s Foundation welcomes the appointment of Sharon Hodgson as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care.
Together we can help to support people living with food allergies
Her appointment comes at an important time for public health and for the thousands of children living with food allergies across the UK.
A Long-Standing Champion of School Food and Child Health
Sharon Hodgson has served for many years as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on School Food, leading cross-party efforts to improve school food standards and children’s access to nutritious meals.
Her campaigning has focused on:
Strengthening school food standards
Expanding Free School Meals
Supporting universal primary school breakfast provision
Improving child health outcomes through better nutrition
This sustained commitment to child health makes her appointment particularly significant.
Westminster
Publicly Raising Food Allergy Safety in Parliament
Sharon Hodgson has also spoken in Parliament about the need to better protect children with food allergies in schools.
During a Westminster Hall debate on school pupils with allergies in November 2023, she highlighted:
The growing number of children living with food allergies
The risks posed by inconsistent allergy policies
The importance of proper training and support for school staff
The need to ensure children with allergies are safe and included
Her contribution recognised that food allergy safety must be treated as a serious public health and safeguarding issue.
A Pivotal Moment for Allergy Safety in Schools
With strengthened food allergy guidance for schools coming into force in England, leadership within the Department of Health and Social Care will be central to ensuring children with food allergies are safe, supported and fully included.
Natasha’s Foundation has worked constructively with parliamentarians across parties to improve food allergy awareness and standards in schools. We remain committed to collaborating with policymakers to secure:
Clear and consistent allergy policies
Effective training for school staff
Access to life-saving medication
Inclusion for all children living with food allergies
Looking Ahead
We congratulate Sharon Hodgson on her appointment and look forward to continued engagement on improving child health and allergy safety.
Protecting children with food allergies requires coordinated leadership across health and education. Natasha’s Foundation will continue working to ensure allergy safety remains firmly on the national agenda.