A mum from Oxford was among a group of women who began a six-day hunger strike outside 10 Downing Street on Mother’s Day (March 19).

Jessica Upton joined the protest that is demanding decisive, coordinated action from the UK government on food poverty and the climate crisis.

She said: “I donate food to the Oxford food banks, who do an amazing job, but it is madness that in such an affluent society as ours that they’re needed.

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“So, I decided to spend Mother’s Day fasting opposite Downing Street, where our leaders have it in their power to sort this.

“I'm lucky that it's a choice for me to fast but I did it to help highlight those for whom it is an awful necessity.”

Currently one in four mothers in the UK are skipping meals in order to feed their children.

The protestors have linked the issue of food scarcity with climate change and detailed their demands in a Mothers’ Manifesto for Change.

Oxford Mail:

Their calls to action include making sure all children in the UK have enough to eat; that the UK government keeps its promises on foreign aid and climate, and for a windfall tax on oil and gas companies’ excessive profits.

Emma Hopkins, organiser of the hunger strike, said: “We are taking this action because we can and must do things differently.

“Why in the UK one of the richest nations are mothers skipping meals to feed their children?

“This is a political choice.

Oxford Mail:

“To not be able to feed your child or to lose your child as a mother is totally devastating and we stand in solidarity with everyone in this situation.”