Eighteen task forces have been set up, including one headed by Tessa Jowell, the Health minister, which will examine ways to support shops in poor areas.While not revealing the key recommendations of his inquiry, Sir Donald says in his speech that he was surprised to "live to see the day when a government was once again prepared to confront this issue". He is known to have been keen to avoid what he saw as his predecessor's mistake - disregard for cost. The Black report's proposals were priced at pounds 2bn in 1979, equivalent to pounds 5.4bn today.Ministers have already signalled action to deal with food deserts on inner-city housing estates under the social exclusion initiative launched by Tony Blair last month. The Conservative government that inherited it promptly buried it.Mr Dobson is reputed to have arrived in the Department of Health in May 1997 clutching a well-thumbed copy of the Black report and in speeches last year ministers repeatedly declared their determination to reduce inequalities, promote social justice and restore fairness.Whether these promises turn to dust will depend on the practicality and affordability of Sir Donald's recommendations. Hunger is prevalent in some groups today, particularly single mothers."Sir Donald was asked by Mr Dobson to produce an updated version of the Black report shortly after the election last year, setting out the scientific case for tackling health inequalities and recommending priorities for action.The original Black report, commissioned by the last Labour government from consultant physician Sir Douglas Black and published in 1980, controversially linked deprivation with ill health and made a series of costly recommendations for alleviating poverty, improving housing and targeting National Health Service resources at the most needy. "Nutrition plays a fundamental role in a range of important diseases, including some cancers, heart disease and stroke, osteoporosis ... anaemia, and obesity."Because of its fundamental role in the growth and development of children, the plight of poor mothers is of particular concern, he says "An extreme effect of lack of money is hunger.

Research shows that a woman's diet during pregnancy affects the weight of her baby, and babies with a low birth weight are at greater risk of heart disease and diabetes in later life."On the basis of these findings we have concluded that while there are many interventions which will reduce inequalities between adults, those with the best chance of reducing future inequalities relate to children, to parents and in particular to present and future mothers."Later in the speech, the first he has given about the inquiry, Sir Donald says that the food gap between the rich, who eat more fruit and vegetables, and the poor, who eat more salt and fat, parallels the health gap. His report, which contains 39 recommendations, is due to be published next month and will say that priority must be given to improving the nutrition of mothers.In a speech to be delivered to the Royal College of Physicians tonight, Sir Donald says that "poverty is unquestionably associated with increased mortality and poorer health". Local shops have closed down because of the growth in out- of-town supermarkets, leading to the creation of "food deserts" in the inner cities and increasing poor nutrition, putting mothers and children at risk. Sir Donald was appointed last year by Frank Dobson, the Secretary of State for Health, to examine what could be done to reduce health inequalities, which worsened during the 17 years of Tory rule. In a stark warning about the growing gap between the rich and poor, Sir Donald Acheson, a former government chief medical officer, says that it is now almost impossible for many of the poorest people to obtain cheap, varied food. "You vill be punctual, you vill stick to ze script, you vill meet your targets, you vill learn ze script, you will call ze vorst number Gutt luck."To be continued.... HUNGER IS once again stalking the streets of Britain and is threatening the health of future generations, according to the chairman of a government inquiry into health inequalities. Ve go vit dat." "You'll explain the terms and conds, won't you?" says Martin, then slaps me on the arm and disappears.Ivana produces a sheaf of paper "Zese are ze rules," she says.

"That's why I thought we'd give her a trial period." Somewhere to my left, someone snorts, but I'm not sure if they're clearing their nose or sneezing "Ah," says Ivana, and the other side of her mouth curls up "A trial OK. She gives me her hand, which feels like a small lizard in mine "Gutt morning, Laura," she says "Velcome do our team. Heff you zzold etverdisink before?" "No." Ivana blinks a couple of times, then gives Martin a long look "She hess no eggzberience." "No, Ivana," says Martin. The lips, completely straight and clamped as though trying to keep her teeth from escaping, develop a small upwards curl on the left hand side. "Vot ken ve do for you today?" "Ivana," says to Martin, "This is Laura. She's joining your team."Ivana looks at me, starting with the very top of my head, working over every inch of my body to my feet, and back up to my eyes.

"As it happens, we've got a vacancy on our advertising team as of today. The sky's the limit if you do well." "So what do I have to do?""Come on." He leaps dynamically to his feet. "I'll introduce you to Ivana." I follow him out into the big room and towards the large group of people plugged into headphones "This," Martin waves to them, "is our advertising team Hello, guys." "Hello, Martin," they chorus. A terrifying Amazon patrols behind them in a Calvin Klein knock-off and Stuart Weitzmann spike heels."Gutt morning, Martin," she says.