UK fruit and vegetable farmers will hold a scarecrow protest outside of Parliament on Monday morning as they fight for survival against "unfair" treatment by the country's six largest supermarket chains.
Demonstrators will place 49 scarecrows outside the British legislature to illustrate the fact that 49 per cent of farmers say they are on the brink of leaving the industry, said Guy Singh-Watson, one of the protest organisers.
"British agriculture is on its knees," said Singh-Watson, the founder of the firm Riverford Organic, which initiated the petition.
Singh-Watson says government policies have failed to provide adequate support for farmers and were rarely enforced.
"The livelihoods of our farmers are being laid to waste," he added.
The farmers want the supermarkets to adhere to "fair" purchasing agreements, including buying agreed quantities and paying the agreed amount on time "without exception".
They say unfair purchasing agreements by the chains Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl will drive many of them out of business in the next 12 months.
The protest will be held as lawmakers debate a petition by the farmers to overhaul the grocery supply chain code of practice.
The petition, which has more than 112,000 signatures, asks the government to ensure that retailers "buy what they agreed", "pay what they agreed" and to pay on time.
"Without fairer treatment for farmers, the reality is the destruction of British farming along with the landscape, wildlife and rural communities it once supported," said Singh-Watson.
William White, a co-ordinator at the Sustain alliance for sustainable farming, said the protest aims to send "a stark message" that only strong regulation from the government can ensure farmers get a fair deal for the food they produce.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said fruit and vegetable farmers are crucial to the resilience of the UK's food system to the wider economy.
"It is only right that British farmers and growers should be paid a fair price, and our review into the fairness of the supply chain will help address these concerns," it said.
Farming and food leaders sent an open letter to the supermarkets last year, saying their buying practics were "all too often imbalanced, short term and wasteful" and leave farmers "struggling to survive".
Supermarkets sometimes reject whole crops "at the last minute", the letter said.
"Good food ends up rotting in the field. Farmers are left without payment for their crops. And without a stable, reliable income, they are struggling to survive."
Mevalco, one of the UK’s leading importer and wholesaler of Spanish fine foods, has reported 6 per cent growth in 2024, despite tough trading conditions and increased costs associated with import and post Brexit tariffs and processes.
With turnover now approaching £10 million, Mevalco has returned consistent growth for the past 10 years. The company now has a strong presence in retail and fine dining markets, as well as the creation of specialist retail signature ranges, working closely with high profile chefs and the company’s unique cohort of suppliers in Spain.
David Menendez, managing director, said 2024 was a tough year for specialist retailers as the rising cost of living and inflationary pressures impacted on business’s bottom line.
“There is no question that 2024 has been a tough year and 2025 is looking equally challenging with the new national insurance and minimum wage thresholds set to further impact on retail markets,” Menendez said.
“However, we have been pleased with the results of 2024 which has been driven by offering value and innovation in our product ranges and investing in our people. We have brought more than 80 new products to market and through working closely with our valued Spanish suppliers have looked to help our customers re-energise and refresh their offer at affordable prices in order to continue to attract the consumer.
“By doing so, we have engaged with more businesses and driven growth through volume in the bottom line. Consumers want value and they want quality – both of which we are pleased to supply in abundance”.
Mevalco offers an extraordinary service that brings new products and meat cuts to market from Spain, supported by training and workshops to help its customers optimise the opportunity for fresh innovation and inspiration.
From its base in Bristol, it supplies establishments right across the UK and is seeing a growing foothold as Spanish produce increases in popularity and demand.
Müller UK & Ireland has joined the processor-led organisation Dairy UK as it targets further industry collaboration.
Dairy UK represents farmer-owned co-operatives and private dairy companies and aims to promote the consumption of British dairy products at home and on the international market.
As the UK dairy industry faces into a wide range of challenges and opportunities, the two organisations said cross-industry collaboration and collective action will be key to promoting and protecting the consumption of UK dairy products, benefitting the entire supply chain.
“We’re delighted to confirm Müller to our membership, marking a significant step forward for industry collaboration. This reflects the value of collective action in addressing the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the UK dairy sector today,” Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, said.
Rob Hutchison, chief executive of Müller Milk & Ingredients, added: “Our purpose is to deliver a better future for the British dairy industry and where possible, we want to come together as an industry to build a more resilient and sustainable future.
“So, whether that’s through first-class service levels for our retail partners, great tasting products for shoppers or genuine partnerships with our supplying farmers, we are taking steps that we think can benefit everyone.
“The whole supply chain benefits if we can promote British dairy products both at home, and on the international stage, while ensuring sustainability is at the heart of the sector. So, for that reason, it makes perfect sense to join Dairy UK and we’re excited to get started.”
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Players from Mansfield Town Ability Counts Football Club attend Crossroad Service Station to present Prem Uthayakumaran with a Mansfield shirt
Nisa retailer Prem Uthayakumaran has made a significant donation totalling £5,000 to Mansfield Town Ability Counts Football Club through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity.
The donation will provide essential support to the club, enabling it to continue its invaluable work in the community.
The donation was made in two parts. In October, Eastfield and Crossroad Service Stations contributed £2,500 to the club, followed by a further £2,500 awarded recently through the Heart of the Community Awards under the Stronger Communities initiative. These funds will be used to enhance the club’s programs, improving the experience for current players and making it possible for even more individuals to participate.
Mansfield Town Ability Counts Football Club provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to engage in football, fostering inclusion, teamwork, and physical activity.
Prem Uthayakumaran is awarded a shirt outside Mansfield's One Call Stadium
“Supporting our community has always been a priority for me. Mansfield Town Ability Counts Football Club does incredible work, and I’m delighted that, through MADL, we can help them reach more people and improve their programs. I’d like to thank all our customers whose support makes these donations possible,” Prem Uthayakumaran said.
Kate Carroll, head of charity at Nisa, added: “Making a Difference Locally empowers our retailers to give back to their communities and support causes that matter most to them. Mansfield Town Ability Counts Football Club is a fantastic organisation making a real difference in people’s lives, and we are proud to help fund their important work.”
Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity enables independent retailers to donate to local good causes through the sale of Co-op own brand products in their stores. A percentage of the sales from these products goes into a MADL fund, which retailers can use to support charities, schools, sports clubs, and community groups.
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A Christmas shopper walks on South Molton street on December 6, 2024 in London, England.
Total Till sales growth slowed at UK supermarkets (+3.2%) in the last four weeks ending 28 December 2025, down from 3.7 per cent in the previous month, according to new data released today byNIQ.
After a slow start to December 2024, food sales rallied in the final three weeks leading up to Christmas, with sales hitting £14.6bn, helped by intense discounts and increased promotional activity.
“In the last four weeks we've seen the highest levels of promotions in the last three years, with 27 per cent of all FMCG sales being purchased on promotion, with branded promotions at 37 per cent of sales,” Mike Watkins, NIQ’s UK Head of Retailer and Business Insight, said.
“This has no doubt helped to boost purchasing over the Christmas period. In particular, this was led by Tesco and Sainsbury’s where promotional spending on FMCG increased to 35 per cent and 34 per cent respectively as these retailers engaged shoppers with big loyalty app savings.”
NIQ data reveals over the last four weeks, in-store visits were up 8 per cent helping in-store sales to increase 3.6 per cent on this time last year. This came at the expense of online where sales fell -1.7 per cent with online share falling to 11.9 per cent from 12.5 per cent a year ago. The timing of Christmas Eve will have given a boost to stores with Monday 23 December the peak shopping day.
Despite the decrease in online share of sales, Ocado (+13.9%) was the fastest-growing retailer over the last four weeks, while the discounters were the fastest-growing channel (+5.5%). Aldi and Lidl’s combined market share increased to 16.3 per cent, up from 15.8 per cent a year ago.
In contrast, trading over the last four weeks was more challenging for the convenience channel (+2.4%).
Moreover, Tesco (+4.5%) grew market share, with Sainsbury’s (+3.1%) holding market share with both retailers seeing strong increases in visits and new shoppers. Marks & Spencer momentum continued (+6.8%) and this resulted in its highest ever market share of 4.8 per cent on record.
NIQ data shows that in the last four weeks, shoppers put fewer items in their baskets, with an average basket value of £21.95, down 4.9 per cent compared to last year. This suggests that shoppers are still bearing the brunt of the high cost of living. This is despite dissipating food inflation at 1.8 per cent compared to 7.8 per cent a year ago.
“Overall, it was a good Christmas for most food retailers with sales growths in line with the expectations that had been set in the last three months,” Watkins noted.
“The topline growths were helped by the return of low inflation but also by shoppers being inclined to buy more in the final week leading up to Christmas Eve. However, shoppers still had to spend more money this year on household bills before buying Christmas indulgences and this may have taken the edge off the growth in some other categories such as alcohol and also household.”
With shoppers purchasing items to celebrate the festive season with family and friends, NIQ data shows that there was a significant boost in sales for sushi (+20%), olives and antipasti (+10%) as well as chilled bread (+12%), nuts (+10%) and fresh and frozen fruit (+10%).
There was also strong growth across the major supermarkets for fresh produce (+7.4%), bakery (+4.8%) and soft drinks (+3.6%). Sales for meat, fish and poultry also fared better than the same period last year - with value growth up 4.4 per cent and 2.1 per cent in unit growth. Confectionery also did well with 13 per cent value growth and 5.5 per cent unit growth. Health and Beauty also performed well at 6.3 per cent.
NIQ data also shows that sales for beers, wines and spirits fell flat with sales weakening to -1.6 per cent value growth and -1.3 per cent unit growth. However, sales rose for stout (+13%), maybe influenced by the challenges around draft supply of Guinness to pubs.
“Looking ahead to 2025, we expect shoppers to keep managing their budgets by shopping smart and shopping around for wherever the savings are the most attractive,” Watkins said. “This means that shopping ‘little and often’ will continue with omnichannel shopping becoming an even bigger consumer trend across the industry.”
One of the victims of the UK’s infamous Post Office Horizon scandal, Christopher Head OBE, has called on the government to urgently address issues with the redress schemes set up to compensate those affected.
In a letter dated today (7), Head has called on to Minister Gareth Thomas and Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds to take concrete corrective actions at the earliest, detailing the "unfairness" and inconsistencies plaguing the schemes administered by the Post Office and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
This marks a follow-up to a previous letter sent in November 2024, which, according to Head, remains unacknowledged. His latest correspondence highlights delays, adversarial processes, and the mental toll on victims.
In the letter shared on X, Head expressed grave concerns about the "Fixed Sum Awards" system, which offers £75,000 or £600,000 compensation, depending on the scheme. He revealed that some claimants are opting to accept these amounts despite evidence suggesting their claims could be valued much higher.
He writes, "Only yesterday I received yet another email from a claimant I have been assisting for many months in the HSS scheme, who due to anxiety, stress and mental health problems is opting to accept the Fixed Sum Award of £75,000 even though I have advised it is likely from a legal perspective her claim is valued at a much higher level."
Head also warned that the rigid nature of these awards risks undermining the government’s promise of "full and fair redress." Inquiry Chair Sir Wyn Williams had previously raised concerns that fixed awards might be "lost forever" if claimants pursued a full assessment route.
Head criticized the absence of accessible legal support for claimants, many of whom cannot afford the necessary advice. He argued that victims should not bear the financial burden of a scandal caused by institutional failings.
He writes, "Post Office may have caused the original harm, but the harm is being further exasperated by the redress processes. If someone can clearly demonstrate they have a claim that exceeds £75,000, they should be able to receive this amount immediately under the current guidance and then advance a claim for the outstanding balance, which relieves the financial worries they may have and making the remaining process more tolerable."
Head highlighted disparities in how interest calculations on losses are handled across different redress schemes, describing the process as inconsistent and unfair. Using his own case as an example, he noted a significant difference between what he was offered and what he should have received under the methodology applied in other schemes.
“The approach is not consistent, which means we have further unfairness,” he wrote, adding that an independent oversight committee could help ensure fairness and consistency.
Head proposed specific reforms, including removing the “legally binding” stipulation on second-panel assessments in the Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme. He also urged the government to give final reviewer Sir Ross Cranston a broader remit to resolve disputes earlier in the process.
He concluded by criticizing what he described as a "damage limitation and PR exercise" by Whitehall, rather than a genuine effort to deliver full redress.
Head urged ministers to act swiftly to prevent further harm to victims and ensure the redress process meets its promises.
"The overarching aim of every scheme should be fairness, consistency and benefit of doubt towards the Sub-Postmaster, Postmistress, employees or family members," he states.
Head recently received OBE for services to justice alongside fellow Post Office scandal victims Lee Castleton, Seema Misra and Jo Hamilton. Head stated that despite the OBE being a "huge honour", it was a "double-edged sword" as he, with many others, had not received full redress.
He was falsely accused of stealing more than £80,000 from his branch in West Boldon in 2006 before the criminal case against him was dropped. Head, who became the youngest sub postmaster at the age of 18 when he took over the West Boldon Branch, was then pursued by the Post Office through the civil courts.
The Post Office Horizon scandal saw more than 900 sub postmasters being prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it appear that money was missing from their accounts.
Hundreds are still awaiting compensation despite the previous Conservative government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000 payouts.